A DAY TO REMEMBER

Rugby star Malcolm Marx married his high school sweetheart, medical doctor Kirsten Grant, at a picturesque farm in the Winelands

- PIETER VAN ZYL

HE’S A sturdy guy known for shoring up the scrum with his bulk. Those who have played with the beefy hooker describe him as fearless and frightening on the field.

But there’s one thing no one has dared call Malcolm Marx – a softie.

Yet today the Springbok player is showing another side.

Malcolm (27) is tying the knot with his long-time love, Kirsten Grant (28).

It’s a summery day out in MolenVliet wine estate between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands.

The 95 guests at the foot of the breathtaking Simonsberg Mountains are socially distancing.

The pandemic – which medical doctor Kirsten has been fighting at Sebokeng Hospital near Vereeniging, Gauteng – couldn’t keep the lovebirds from saying their vows.

Travel restrictions did, however, keep Malcolm’s best man, former Lions player Cyle Brink who now plays for Leicester Tigers in the UK, from being here.

But he has four more groomsmen by his side including Springbok Steven Kitshoff, one of his 2019 World Cup-winning squad teammates.

The groomsmen are stylish in suits with trendy sun glasses when they walk down the aisle. Seven bridesmaids in elegant black dresses are next.

Then the moment Malcolm has been waiting for arrives. Kirsten makes her way down the aisle to the violin strains of Daniel Yang. She’s radiant in an off-the-shoulder gown with a sweetheart neckline.

Malcolm can’t hold back tears. “I’m most looking forward to seeing her walk down the aisle,” he’d told YOU a few days before the wedding.