South Africa World Rugby Champions!

21 October 2007

Bokke make South Africa proud


By Janine du Plessis

Pretoria - South Africans are basking in the glory of being the best rugby players in the world, after defeating England 15-6 at Stade de France on Saturday.

South Africa's name was engraved on the Webb Ellis Cup only moments after the IRB Rugby World Cup final whistle blew. This is the second time South Africa has won the cup, the first time being in 1995 under the captaincy of Francois Pienaar.

A proud President Thabo Mbeki was there to congratulate the players who picked him up and gave him the cup to hold up. He was accompanied by various ministers, dignitaries and celebrities.

Former President Nelson Mandela was unable to make it to the match, but sent a video message of support to the team.

South Africa has been painted green and gold since Friday, in a massive build-up to the finals.

An amazing spirit of unity marked the celebrations throughout the country, with millions standing up to sing the National Anthem ahead of the game. The sound of vuvuzela's and celebrations carried on throughout the night.

It was no different in France as thousands of South Africans had flown over to watch the game live.

Springbok players Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana did their country proud by being awarded man of the match and for levelling Jonah Lomu's record for scoring eight tries during the tournament respectively.

Shortly after the triumph Captain John Smit, in a show of emotion, said it was difficult to describe what it felt like winning the world cup and that he was trying not to cry.

The Rugby World Cup website was quoted as saying England fly half Jonny Wilkinson, the hero of their 2003 triumph in Sydney, was unable to turn on the magic this time. Last week the media reported him as being the Springboks biggest challenge during Saturday's match.

The Ministry of Sport and Recreation released a statement on Sunday congratulating the team on their victory.

"Our soldiers stood toe-to-toe with England in the World Cup final and they were the ones remaining standing. Congratulations from the Ministry of Sport and Recreation!"

Sport and Recreation Minister Dr Makhenkesi Stofile, said: "We are proud of the Springboks for representing us with distinction and commitment.

"This victory should herald a new era - an era in which we all embrace change and tackle the challenges still being faced by our rugby and sport in general.

"Our victory during the 1995 World Cup offered us a window to see what South Africa can be. We did not build on that. May we not commit the same error after this second chance."

According to the statement, the minister said he hoped that the unity witnessed in our country following the defeat would be translated into support for all efforts towards social cohesion.

"This will consolidate a united support for National teams".

In the President's weekly letter posted on the ANC website, Mr Mbeki said he was confident the Springboks would "bring the cup home".

"The outstanding performance of the Springboks at the world cup tournament has, once again, drawn attention to the critical role that sport plays in strengthening national cohesion and unity, giving us our national identity and inspiring in all of us a shared and new patriotism," he said in his letter.

He said he had watched the Springboks singing the National Anthem with manifest passion.

The President said, however, we would be mistaken if we took the positive developments as signifying that the rugby administrators, players and the nation have accomplished the shared goal of building rugby as a non-racial sport at all levels. - BuaNews