If you’re a South African on social media, you will have undoubtedly heard the viral “HOYA” war cry performed by Wynberg Boys High School pupils.
Earlier this week, the school got an unexpected visitor in the form of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, and they got to perform the “HOYA” war cry with him.
The war cry came about after a Wynberg Old Boy who works at MTN approached the school to do something to commemorate the company’s 30-year anniversary while celebrating the Springboks.
“He was interested in getting our boys to do a cheer in celebration of MTN’s #30Years social media campaign with the idea of tying it to the two SA vs NZ Rugby test matches that were taking place in August & September,” the school’s marketing manager Claudia Levarelli told IOL this week.
“He asked that the boys create a cheer in support of the Springboks – that’s where we handed the brief over to the cheerleaders and Leighton Mouton and asked them to come up with something catchy, using the tune of one of our previous viral cheers and at the same time, putting a Springbok spin on it.
“It was an exciting opportunity; one we knew the boys would love.”
The war cry is led by Mouton, a 17-year Grade 11 pupil at the school. Although he’s been seen as the face of the campaign, Mouton stressed that it was the school’s cheerleaders who were responsible for bringing it to life.
“I’m really proud of the work we’ve done as the cheerleaders of 2024,” Mouton told IOL Sport in a telephonic interview on Friday.
For Mouton, meeting the two-time Rugby World Cup winning Springbok captain was the highlight for the year.
“It was an honour to meet Siya. He’s an amazing guy. It was a big surprise for us as the cheerleaders because we didn’t even know he was coming,” he said.
After the participating in the war cry, Kolisi was full of praise for Mouton and the Wynberg boys.
“Anything is possible, and thank you. This vibe is too much, it’s lekker. I wish I played in a vibe like this. We appreciate you guys.
“I wish you all the best for this year. Thank you for your support,” the Springbok skipper said.
Mouton though, has just been enjoying everything that’s happened since going viral.
“I’ve been exposed to so many things since the war cry went viral. And I have to say none of it would have been possible without the school boys [at Wynberg].”
And what next for Leighton and the Wynberg cheerleaders? Could there be an opportunity for them to perform the war cry at Stormers’ games at the Cape Town Stadium?
Well, he says, the 2024 cheerleaders are not available as they’re writing exams, but should next year’s group be asked, they will be open to the opportunity.
IOL Sport