Big guns back the Boks
PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT: PRESIDENT, PRESIDING OFFICERS BEHIND TEAM
Ramaphosa flies to Japan wearing a No 6 jersey to mirror that of captain Kolisi.
South Africa’s big guns have joined the support of the national rugby team. On Thursday, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu joined millions of South Africans in wishing the Springboks the best of luck against England in the Rugby World Cup final in Japan today, while President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday flew to Japan with the message “South Africa’s moment has arrived”.
Kitted out in a number 6 jersey, to mirror that of captain Siya Kolisi, Ramaphosa beamed as he predicted a victorious outcome for the Boks.
Parliament’s presiding officers meanwhile had a message of their own: “Go Bokke!”
This is the message parliament’s presiding officers – National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo – had for the Springboks on the eve of their third Rugby World Cup final.
“The Boks, as they are fondly called, will be carrying South Africa’s hopes and aspirations when they enter the Yokohama Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, in their quest to win this ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup,” their statement read.
“We wish to assure captain Siya Kolisi and the whole team of our national unity in support of their efforts to conquer the world of rugby and bring home the coveted Web Ellis Cup for the third time.
“We cherish the team’s resilience, fierceness, unity and strength, which has seen it conquering some of the greatest challenges to inspire South Africa and the world and to position itself on the verge of yet another world glory,” they added.
“Parliament believes Siya’s team, under the able leadership of coach Rassie Erasmus, will make South Africa proud as they follow in the footsteps of Francois Pienaar and his men in 1995, and John Smit and his men in 2007. We say: Go Bokke! Go Bokke! Go Bokke!”
Tutu was full of praise for the Springboks.
“Your dignity, diversity and courage are infectious. You have restored South African rugby pride and made us all feel good about ourselves,” said Tutu.
“A World Cup final is a highly pressured environment, but if you feel weightless when you run onto that Yokohama field, it will be because you are being carried by the love, respect and prayers of 56 million of us at home. You have already won! God bless you,” said Tutu. – News24Wire