He’s a huge rugby fan – and patron of the Welsh Rugby Union – so Prince William was in his element as he tackled a training session on his recent visit to South Africa.
The Prince of Wales dusted off his skills as he joined Springbok rugby legends for the visit to Ocean View Secondary School in a township outside Cape Town.
Joel Stransky, who kicked all the points for South Africa in the final when they won the World Cup in 1995, told the Mail how ‘great’ the Prince of Wales was during the event on November 4.
He said: ‘He seemed to know what he was doing. His first kick was a little off but after that he was great.
‘A little first-time nerves. He liked the rough and tumble and engaged wonderfully with the children. And yes, well, what can I say – I got stuck in too!’
William kicked off his rugby-playing days when he was at Eton between 1995 and 2000 and the sport has played a big part of his life.
In 2016, he succeeded his grandmother Queen Elizabeth as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, while in 2022 his wife, Catherine, was appointed patron of England’s Rugby Football Union – leading to some friendly family rivalry.
At Eton, William was on the same team as future Hollywood star Eddie Redmayne and, because of his royal status, seemed to have a harder time during games.
Prince William with South Africa rugby legend Joel Stransky during the training session at a school in a township outside Cape Town on November 4
The prince jumps to catch the ball during his visit to Ocean View Secondary School
William runs with a rugby ball on the beach at St Andrews during his university days in 2003
Eddie previously revealed: ‘We were on the same Colts B team in 1997. I always felt slightly sorry for Will because everyone wanted to tackle the future King of England.
‘He took all the hits.’
The actor added: ‘I’m pretty sure Will was more intimidating than I was. I don’t think I intimidated anyone in my life. I haven’t seen him since school, but he was a lovely man.’
William also played the Eton Field Game – which is a cross between rugby and football. He was pictured in 2000 with muddy knees and wearing odd socks, about to kick a ball during a game.
William’s love for rugby continued at university. The prince studied at St Andrews from 2001 to 2005 and, away from his studies, he made time for athletic endeavours.
In 2005, his future wife was seen watching from the sidelines as William participated in a rugby sevens tournament.
The same year, the prince joined a training session with the British and Irish Lions rugby team during their tour of New Zealand.
He was photographed in a red tracksuit kit, getting stuck in while catching and passing the ball.
William playing the Eton Field Game – a cross between football and rugby – in 2000
The prince kicks a rugby ball barefoot on the beach at St Andrews in 2003
Rugby is now a big part of William’s life as a working royal.
Last year, he and Catherine went head to head in their roles as royal patrons as Wales hosted England for a Six Nations match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Both proudly sang the national anthems – in 2016, William said ‘when the Welsh national anthem goes you know you are home’.
But there might have been some ribbing on the couple’s journey home after England won 20-10.
William had joked before the match: ‘If we win today my wife won’t speak to me. It will be a tense evening.’
Last autumn, William attended the Rugby World Cup in France, meeting Welsh players in their dressing room after watching them beat Fiji in Bordeaux.
William had cheered on the team while sat next to Gerald Davies, who is the 50th President of the Welsh Rugby Union.
The prince at a training session with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005
William playing the Eton Field Game with his old school house in 2006
He was photographed as he laughed and chatted with star players, including Nick Tompkins and George North.
Taking after his father, Prince George is also scrumming down after it was revealed in 2022 that he was learning how to play the sport.
The young prince expressed how he hadn’t taken on his mother yet when he joined his parents to watch England’s Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham.
Asked whether he would be supporting his mother or father’s team, George shrugged his shoulders and smiled at William, who laughed: ‘It’s become quite the thing in the house.’
Pointing at his wife, he added: ‘She is quite into it, I’m trying to stay out of it.’
Kate, who is also patron of the Rugby Football League, then asked George to describe how he has started playing rugby at school.
‘He has all the kit,’ she said.
The Prince and Princess of Wales – patrons of the Welsh Rugby Union and Rugby Football Union respectively – sing the national anthems at Wales’s Six Nations match against England in 2023
William kicks a rugby ball during his training session with the British and Irish Lions in 2005
William playing the Eton Field Game with his old school house in 2006
George spoke about how he has just started learning how to tackle, before turning to his mother: ‘But I haven’t tackled you yet!’
Kate replied, laughing: ‘Yes you have!’
Last year, George joined his father in France to watch Wales take on Argentina in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup at the Stade de Marseille.
It marked the first time the youngster, now 11, had attended an international sporting fixture overseas.
Father and son wore matching suits and sat in the presidential box to watch the game.
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