![HE'S ON THE BALL](https://cdn.magzter.com/1359122596/1715851416/articles/uaQ47pCCF1715947423521/HES-ON-THE-BALL.jpg)
HE CHARGES down the field with the ball clutched under one arm, dodging players left, right and centre until he’s finally tackled from behind and brought down.
As spectators either groan or cheer he scrambles up and rushes back to help his team defend their territory.
It’s a scene common across South Africa – young boys getting stuck into the game of rugby, giving their all at every match. But one thing puts this little guy in a league of his own: both his legs have been amputated just below the knees.
There’s been a buzz around eighty-year-old Grayton Rhode after a video circulated of his recent debut for the under-9 team at Stockwell Primary School, near Ashton in the Western Cape.
The sight of Grayton running on his stumps and putting his body on the line warmed thousands of hearts – and those who know this kid will tell you it’s typical of him. Nothing stops him from doing what he wants.
Grayton hasn’t let all the attention go to his head, though: he’s super-shy when YOU meets him in his hometown, offering only a quiet greeting and the occasional smile.
His mom, Annie Rhode (46), however, is bursting with pride for her exceptional kid. “When he went onto the field that day people screamed, ‘Take that child off – he’s going to get hurt!’ But when he started to run even the opposing school’s team cheered for him.”
Nothing puts Grayton off playing rugby, not even the fact that his school has only a gravel field to practise on.
Cushioned guards protect his stumps and he and his friends make their way to the stony pitch every breaktime, playing with a ball they’ve fashioned from old bread bags.
This story is from the 23 May 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 23 May 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Our top picks to listen to and watch](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/be_00KLl11718285765213/OUR-TOP-PICKS-TO-LISTEN-TO-AND-WATCH.jpg)
Our top picks to listen to and watch
The HOTTEST things in POP CULTURE and ENTERTAINMENT THIS WEEK
![QUEEN OF THE COURT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/xGdZnQzPC1718287703673/QUEEN-OF-THE-COURT.jpg)
QUEEN OF THE COURT
She's just won her fifth Grand Slam title and at 23 tennis star Iga Świątek is only getting started!
![WE'RE ON A MISSION TO HELP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/KW564HPr91718284265040/WERE-ON-A-MISSION-TO-HELP.jpg)
WE'RE ON A MISSION TO HELP
The Olifants have started an ambulance service for animals from less fortunate communities
![BARBER TO THE BOKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/WjQT4NVkz1718287557481/BARBER-TO-THE-BOKS.jpg)
BARBER TO THE BOKS
He's been cutting hair for almost 50 years. But it's the more than 40 jackets and signed jerseys from Springbok players whose hair he's done that make him a cut above the rest
![THE SCIENCE OF DEATH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/bMDlgE0ry1718287157930/THE-SCIENCE-OF-DEATH.jpg)
THE SCIENCE OF DEATH
New research into the dying brain suggests the line between life and death may be far less distinct than previously thought
![WE TALK ABOUT Colombia's underwater treasure quest](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/fMj4LT2lQ1718286507883/WE-TALK-ABOUT-COLOMBIAS-UNDERWATER-TREASURE-QUEST.jpg)
WE TALK ABOUT Colombia's underwater treasure quest
COLOMBIA is launching a historic underwater expedition to explore a ship that sank in the Caribbean more than 300 years ago.
![UNFORGETTABLE READS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/wcYEQQmrm1718286248131/UNFORGETTABLE-READS.jpg)
UNFORGETTABLE READS
These new releases all offer something surprising and unexpected
![EAT YOUR FILL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/6Le2NWT1r1718284646934/EAT-YOUR-FILL.jpg)
EAT YOUR FILL
Trying to lose weight? Stock up on the foods that trigger the release of the same 'fullness' hormone as the weight-loss drug Ozempic
![ROMANTIC RUPERT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/VEgrH6HGH1718283913313/ROMANTIC-RUPERT.jpg)
ROMANTIC RUPERT
Retired media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is a sucker for love and at 93 he's got married - again!
![RUNNING STRONG](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2448/1730732/x51zmyjLY1718283154946/RUNNING-STRONG.jpg)
RUNNING STRONG
This Roodepoort mom has lost half her body weight - and she's just done her second Comrades