Cape Town – South African Rugby finds itself at a critical juncture following the Springboks’ recent triumph over England at the Rugby World Cup in France. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms. Beauty Dlulane, has emphasized the need for the sporting body to capitalize on this newfound momentum.

According to a new release by the Parliament of South Africa, Arts and Culture, the Springboks won against England with a narrow margin of 16-15 under challenging conditions in Paris this past Saturday. Ms. Dlulane praised the team’s resolve, especially during the intense final moments of the match, stating that this achievement has gained rugby a wider following in South Africa.

The Committee Chair called for SA Rugby to not only maintain but also expand this newfound enthusiasm for rugby across communities where the sport is not traditionally played. Dlulane suggested that SA Rugby should invest in grassroots programs and targeted marketing to ensure that the sport does not revert to being perceived as exclusive or predominantly white.

Looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand, Ms. Dlulane encouraged the Springboks to surpass their already stellar performances, especially the one against the host nation, France, in the quarter-finals and the recent semi-final win against England. South Africa aims to defend the World Cup title it secured in Japan in 2019.

The sport of rugby, Ms. Dlulane noted, has garnered considerable international interest, standing behind only football’s World Cup and the Olympic Games in terms of global support. “Rugby is a game on the up, and we can’t let the opportunity to build at home and overseas pass us by,” Dlulane added.

Additionally, Ms. Dlulane commended the Proteas, South Africa’s national cricket team, who also marked a significant victory against England in a Cricket World Cup fixture in India, winning by over 229 runs.