‘Never play the game again’: Schoolboy rugby player carried 20m in viral tackle

The rugby world has lost it over a viral tackle in a schoolboy game in South Africa after a halfback was monstered in absurd scenes.

Fans were blown away by the tackle. Photo: Twitter

A South African schoolboy rugby player has gone viral after he carried his opponent 20m backwards in wild scenes during a recent match.

In an under-19s clash between schools Goudveld High and Welkom Gimnasium, the Goudveld halfback received the ball in decent field position.

Watch selected NRL & AFL games, along with every F1 race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today

A kick saw Goudveld field the ball on the halfway before passing to the halfback.

It proved to be a mistake as the No. 9 was hit in a powerful tackle on the Welkom 10m line.

But rather than driving him into the ground, the Welkom tackler began to run, driving the Goudveld halfback back over the halfway line and over his own 10m line.

The Goudveld halfback panicked as he was getting driven back and passed the ball forward at the halfway mark, meaning Welkom would also get the ball back.

It instantly reminded fans of the 2013 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia when the Lions’ George North — who had the ball — picked up Israel Folau and drove him backwards.

Seven years ago today, George North did this to Israel Folau 😲 pic.twitter.com/BfbH5Nu0Ls

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 29, 2020

But that incident was a matter of a couple of metres, nowhere near as far as this moment.

The rugby world lost its mind for the brilliant hit.

SuperSport Rugby posted the video on Twitter, which has 270,000 views, with the caption: “We’re not sure we’ve ever seen a tackle like this in rugby before.”

It was a big hit to start. Photo: Twitter

The bloke took off. Photo: Twitter

The player panicked and passed forward. Photo: Twitter

And ended painfully. Photo: Twitter

One fan posted: “I would quite simply never play the game again. Might also migrate to Antarctica forever”.

Another fan said: “I’d quit and join the school chess club.”

“Hand in that retirement notice young man,” another quipped.

Another questioned: “What do you even say at school the next day??”

“He was begging for mercy at the point he chose the forward pass,” another suggested.

“I actually don’t think I’ve seen such disrespect in my life!” another added.

It was a headline moment in a 48-9 demolition from Welkom.

The match was the school’s annual derby match and yet another win for Welkom, who has held a 10-year dominance in clashes between the schools.

Originally published as ‘Never play the game again’: Schoolboy rugby player carried 20m in viral tackle