Panafrican News Agency

Ramaphosa salutes South Africa's rugby heroes

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday said the sight of Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi lifting the cup at the Yokohama Stadium in Japan this weekend has filled him with great deal of pride.

The Springboks clinched a magnificent 32-12 victory against England in the Rugby World Cup final, marking the third such victory for the national side, who were crowned champions in 1995 and 2007.

“I could see the undisguised emotion on the face of his father, Fezakele. There was his son, the first black captain of the Springboks, making history," Ramaphosa said.

It was Fezakele’s first trip overseas and he embraced his son who grew up in a poor Eastern Cape township. Kolisi was born on 16 June, 1991, a day which is commemorated as the anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Riots when the revolution to topple Apartheid began in earnest.

“Siya's captaincy not only epitomises the transformation of a sport that was once racially segregated; it is the power of a dream fulfilled. This is the dream of a young man of humble circumstances to one day wear the green and gold jersey, and of a country that has enabled him to see it realised. After generations of division, we have become a people with a great sense of national pride,” Ramaphosa said.

PANA reports that the Springbok players will return on Tuesday and ticker-tape parades have been organised in all the main cities.

In other developments, South African online consumer site Takealot said it will refund the full purchase price for 346 customers who had taken part in a Rugby World Cup promotion. The value of the sets is estimated to be US$340 000 and the company promised customers the refund if South Africa won the tournament.

–0– PANA CU/AR 4Nov2019