Lindsay Jefthas (third left) breaks away on the rugby firld (COURTESY PHOTO)

As soon as I had settled in to Beijing life over a year ago, I was keen to tick all the famous tourist attractions in the city off my bucket list.

Several weeks after arriving, most of the places I was eager to experience prior to my arrival had been marked off my list. Posing for pictures in front of the renowned Tian'anmen Square, check. A taste of interesting Chinese history at the Forbidden City, check. A 6-km hike on the world wonder, the Great Wall, check. Wandering around the spacious Summer Palace, check.

So, what was left to do over weekends and on non-working days?

I was based in Mentougou District, in the western part of Beijing, which is not overflowing with expats, seeing that it's a bit distant from the Central Business District. The only Chinese words I knew how to say were nihao (hello) and xiexie (thank you); hence, I only had my flatmate to communicate with (who was 30 years my senior at the time!). Although we were both from South Africa, I had no intention to hang out with him all the time while in China. Also, I was conscious of the fact that living and working in another country is all about experiencing different things, embracing new cultures and making new friends.

A few months after getting used to Chinese food, the disorder on the roads and a few interesting encounters with the locals, I was eager to meet new people, who share more or less the same culture as me. So, one Friday evening, I headed out to a well-known pub in Dongzhimen, where I saw a group of foreign guys having a great time. While enjoying a beer and minding my own business, one of the guys approached me and asked, "Can you play rugby?" Of course, this was a rhetorical question, seeing that I'm a rugby fanatic from a country where rugby is treated like a religion and the national rugby team, known as the Springboks, are former world champions. I humbly responded, "Yes, I can." Without uttering any more words, the guy took me by the arm, introduced me to the rest of the crowd and told me in earnest that I would be playing for his team the next day. "But I don't have any rugby gear," I said confused. "Not to worry, just be here at 10 a.m.," he said with a wink.

Contemplating whether I should go because I still felt "tired" from the night before, I got up and made my way to the pub again. A bus waited to take us to the game venue and I was kindly greeted by everyone I had met the night before. A short ride later, I was running onto the field, wearing shorts that were too small and boots that were too big (without any socks). After 80 minutes, the game was over and to my surprise, I was awarded "Man of the Match."

For the first time in many months, I felt at home. I felt appreciated and that I belonged.

My fellow players were happy to have me on the team and always treated me with admiration. We are a team with approximately 10 different nationalities and I have made some really good friends. Within the space of a few weeks, I had tons of new contacts on WeChat, I had people to hang out with over weekends and friends I could rely on when needed. With annual tours across China and other parts of Asia, joining a social sport club definitely has its perks.

Moving to another country on your own, especially one where the majority of the locals do not speak your language, can be overwhelming at times. You make acquaintances here and there, but to find a group of people that actually make you feel like you're at home should be cherished. I have learned so much from the guys I play with. We have great laughs together and we have even shared some gloomy moments. As mentioned earlier, a part of living in another country should be to meet new people and make new friends and I am pleased I have. Unfortunately, rugby, being a very physical sport, has resulted in me ending up with a fractured knee, which will keep me on the side lines until the end of the year. But I'll be back! CA

(The writer is a South African mathematics teacher in Beijing)