Cyril scrums down
DEPUTY PRESIDENT LEADS SA’S 2023 HOSTING BID TEAM Announcement of Rugby World Cup hosts expected in London on Wednesday.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa goes back to London today to lead Team South Africa to the World Rugby Council announcement of the 2023 Rugby World Cup host country, the Presidency said.
The announcement is expected to take place in London on Wednesday, Ramaphosa’s acting spokesperson, Tyrone Seale, said in a statement.
Ramaphosa led the Rugby World Cup Bid Team SA in September when it presented its case to host the 2023 tournament – 200 years after William Webb Ellis is said to have picked up a soccer ball and run with it, creating the game of rugby.
The South African bid had subsequently been named as the “clear leader” and “unanimous” choice of the Rugby World Cup board to host the 2023 tournament. This followed an exhaustive tendering, clarification and evaluation process. Contenders France and Ireland were rated second and third respectively.
“The final decision rests with 26 World Rugby Council members who collectively exercise 39 votes and among whom a simple majority is required to secure the
The three bidding countries do not vote.
hosting rights. The three bidding countries do not vote,” Seale said.
Those eligible to vote in the secret ballot on November 15 are: Australia (3 votes), England (3), New Zealand (3), Scotland (3), Wales (3), Italy (3), Argentina (3), Canada (1), Japan (2), Georgia (1), Romania (1), USA (1), Asia Rugby (2), Oceania Rugby (2), Rugby Africa (2), Rugby Americas North (2), Rugby Europe (2), and Sudamerica Rugby (2).
The announcement is scheduled for about 3pm on Wednesday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport (channel 201) from 2.30pm, as well as being livestreamed by worldrugby.org.
Ramaphosa’s participation and leadership in this visit would once more demonstrate government’s support for and commitment to the effort to return the tournament to the African continent in the 21st century.
The high-powered delegation would again include Sport and Recreation Minister Thulas Nxesi, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander and chief executive officer Jurie Roux, who in September laid out South Africa’s case to host the tournament. – ANA