President Cyril Ramaphosa is jetting off to Paris this evening to support the Springboks in their quest for glory.
Ramaphosa will be in the crowd at the Stade de France cheering on the boys as they face the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final tomorrow evening.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya the President expects the country to retain the Webb Ellis trophy.
“The President will… travel to Paris to support the Springboks in their quest on Saturday, the 28th of October, to return the Rugby World Cup Webb Ellis trophy. The President is really looking forward to be invited onto the pitch for a second time by captain Siya Kolisi to help lift the cup for the world champions.
“This will be the first time any country will hold four Rugby World Cup titles. The President wishes the Springboks and the All Blacks well for this showcase which we hope will be a memorable event for those who will be in the stadium as well as the global media audience that will be following the game.”
Before the showdown, Ramaphosa will also pay the team a special visit.
“The President will also take the opportunity to visit the squad at their hotel to deliver words of encouragement on behalf of the nation.”
Magwenya said President Ramaphosa’s presence in the European country will also be “an opportunity for a brief bilateral interaction” with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Meanwhile, speaking on the official Springboks website, captain Siya Kolisi said the team is aware of the importance of the match for the entire nation.
“It’s probably the biggest game of my life. I don’t think it will happen in our lifetimes again that we have another game like this, and we are excited. We know how good [the All Blacks] are.
“What we do on Saturday can control the mood of over 62 million South Africans. People have been sending messages saying when we play it is the only time they are happy, and as a team we represent all kinds of people,” Kolisi said.
Calls have been sounding up for Ramaphosa to declare a public holiday, should the Springboks win the World Cup.
Magwenya says the President has received many messages about declaring a public holiday, and he said he would consider the request.
Spoke to coach @jacnienaber ahead of tonight’s quarter-final. pic.twitter.com/SH6wYuH3Gs
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) October 15, 2023
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