- The Springboks claimed an historic fourth Rugby World Cup title in France with a nailbiting, one-point victory on Saturday.
- They battled against arch rivals New Zealand in Paris.
- The Springboks’ victory confirms South Africa’s high standing in the world of rugby, says the Presidency.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has shared a heartfelt message after the Springboks claimed the Rugby World Cup title in Paris, France on Saturday.
The Springboks were named winners of the Rugby World Cup after edging out New Zealand 12-11 in a fiercely contested final, making South Africa the first country to win the title four times.
President Ramaphosa arrived at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday morning to show the SA team support. Ahead of the match, Ramaphosa also shared some words of encouragement to the team, adding that all 62 million South Africans were rooting for them.
“Stronger Together is a belief that came to life for Springbok supporters all around our country and continent, and the world,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
READ | ‘This one is for South Africa!’ Victorious Springboks bask in World Cup glory
He added that sport has the power to transform, and uplift the lives and raise the spirit of the entire nation.
“Tonight, Siya Kolisi and the 2023 World Cup champions have gifted us an extraordinary… and inspiring national achievement that lifts our hearts and hoists our flag even higher.”
Following their win, Ramaphosa handed the medals to the Springbok team and took part in the exhilarating lifting of the Webb Ellis trophy.
Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni added that the Springboks’ victory confirms South Africa’s high standing in the world of rugby.
(Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
“The Springboks symbolise the resolve, resilience and unbreakable spirit of South Africans as a nation. Never has a team, which was once the centre of dividing a nation, risen time and time again to unite and rally the nation behind one flag, a single identity and the nation’s brand,” Ntshavheni added.
Earlier this month, Ramaphosa floated the notion of a public holiday should the national team emerge victorious and retain the trophy. His remarks came after the Springboks dispensed with host nation France, in another one-point victory in the quarter-final.
He said: “South Africans are revelling in this incredible success that our boys have achieved in Paris. Many of them [South Africans] felt that we should declare [Monday] as a public holiday, and I declined, and I said we would only consider that when they [the Springboks] win the final, where I will be personally present [for].”
However, following the Springboks’ win on Saturday, Ramaphosa did not make any immediate mention of the public holiday.