“And the award for hottest facial scar goes to…”

It’s no secret that South African rugby carries around a massive stigma with regards to sexuality and gender issues, much like many South African sports.

There is no Gareth Thomas (out Welsh rugby player) here, nor any Steve Davies (out English cricketer), nor an Anton Hysen (the world’s only out professional footballer, from Sweden) to be seen in South African sport.

That may be about to change. Enter Nick Fenton-Wells, the captain of the Ikey Tigers at the University of Cape Town. He may not be gay, but he’s urging gay players not to be afraid to get involved in sports at UCT, laying the foundations for open and equal participation in our favourite national sports and games one day. Most impressive! Get that man a Bells!

Here’s the video:

FYI: It Gets Better is a viral video campaign begun in the States in response to a horrific string of teenage suicides last year. The kids that took their own lives all suffered bullying and abuse from their peers due to perceptions regarding their sexuality.

There are hundreds of “It Gets Better” videos online now, containing messages from a massive range of celebrities, star athletes, politicians, activists and even corporations. Google even released their 30 second It Gets Better ad on prime time American television earlier this year.

(h/t Mark Dean Brown at UCT for the link)