Papiyana wants Springboks’ historic trophy tour to come to Komani
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) wants the Springboks to stop in Komani during their trophy tour of the country to celebrate their historic fourth Rugby World Cup victory with their fans.
EMLM mayor, Madoda Papiyana, said at Wednesday’s final ordinary council meeting that he had written to the South African Rugby Union (Saru) and provincial department of sports, recreation, arts & culture minister Zizi Kodwa, requesting that the Springboks include a stop in Enoch Mgijima during their trophy tour in the Eastern Cape.
Papiyana offered his congratulations to the national team and noted that it was the first time that SA had successfully defended the Rugby World Cup title.
“Today, the Springboks are returning from France after their victory against the All Blacks.
“As the mayor of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, I have written to Saru to congratulate them and also informed them that we would be happy if they included Enoch Mgijima to be part of the areas that they will visit during the trophy tour,” he said.
However, Papiyana said Saru’s response was that the city venues for the trophy tour had already been decided on.
“They wrote that they appreciated receiving an invitation from us as it was the first time they were approached to have a tour in a rural area,” Papiyana said.
After the council meeting, the mayor said he would speak to the minister again to see if there was any way to make it happen as the communities of Enoch Mgijima would be delighted if such a historic celebratory event could also take place in their area.
The mayor also noted that a visit from the Springboks would be particularly meaningful given that Queens College has produced many professional rugby players, including some who have represented the national team.
Furthermore, the mayor said a visit from the Springboks would boost the morale of the people in the area.
The provincial sports department’s spokesperson, Andile Nduna, said the department was preparing for the Springboks’ visit to the Eastern Cape.
By the time of going to print, Nduna had not responded regarding which areas would be included in the Boks’ tour.