The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms Beauty Dlulane, has congratulated the Springboks for winning the Rugby World Cup and defending their title on Saturday evening in France.
The win makes South Africa the only nation to have won the title a record four times.
“Congratulations to the Springboks. It is fair to say all their joy is our joy. The nation stood behind them all the way and supported the team. South Africans of all ages, from all corners of the globe came out and stood with our boys.
They have shifted a gear in making rugby a popular sporting code not only in the country but in the continent and in the world. That is no mean feat,” Ms Dlulane continued.
The Springboks won the final, beating the All Blacks 12-11, on a rainy night in Paris. The team contained a significant number of players who were also part of the winning team in the World Cup played in Tokyo, Japan, in 2019.
Ms Dlulane said to match what this group has done will require a massive effort from the next generation of players.
“Defending the World Cup was only previously achieved by New Zealand under Richie McCaw’s captaincy, a feat skipper Siya Kolisi, has achieved.”
“This will remain longer than memory in many minds and generations to come. Many may not realize what it has done for our country as yet, but this was massive,” added Ms Dlulane.
The Springboks were joined by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Paris for their title defence.
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