SOURCE: https://thestormers.com/dhl-stormers-and-friends-deliver-johnny-cleggs-the-crossing/
The Stormers have been employing the power of music as a unifying tool and to lift team spirit.
They have collaborated with local musicians to celebrate Johnny Clegg, one of the icons of the South Africas music industry.
The Cape Franchise have been singing Clegg’s ‘The Crossing’ after every match they have played during the Super Rugby season.
They teamed up with some top South African artists like Francois van Coke, Amy Tjasink, Paxton Fielies, Marc Lottering, Zolani Mohali, James Stewart, Chantal Stanfield, Amy Jones, Chad Saaiman, RJ Benjamin and Heinrich Frans before lockdown to produce this epic video.
Stormers captain Siya Kolisi said that the experience of singing and recording the song had a profound impact on the team.
“Johnny Clegg is an icon of South African music and ‘The Crossing’ is such a powerful song, so it was perfectly suited to our team’s 2020 campaign and even though we only managed to play six games so far this season, we have sung it together after every match.
“To get the chance to collaborate with well-known South African artists and experience the teamwork that goes into producing a piece of music professionally, was something that we will all remember and cherish for a long time.
“With South Africa currently in lockdown due to COVID-19, the song has even more significance and meaning.
“We hope that this song will help deliver some hope at what is a difficult time for all South Africans and if it does lift the spirits in any way, then the whole project can be considered a major success,” he said.
Stormers coach John Dobson said in a preamble to the video: “Music and singing are integral to team spirit, so necessary in rugby – choosing to learn the song of an iconic South African, taking our players out of their comfort zones and encouraging them to celebrate our diversity through music has been incredibly powerful.”