The Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture has congratulated the Springboks for winning a thrilling quarter-final duel yesterday evening against France, the host nation of the Rugby World Cup 2023, at Stade de France, in Saint Denis just outside Paris.
The committee Chairperson, Ms Beauty Dlulane, said the team’s success continues to inspire all South Africans. The match had been billed as the final before the final. Ms Dlulane described South Africa’s rugby national team as ‘gods of rugby’ and said they were the pride of the nation.
‘The committee sends its congratulatory appreciation for this success. On the night, only South Africa could have beaten the French in front of a hostile crowd. This is further evidence of how resilient our team is and will continue to be,’ she said.
‘We are particularly happy that they team once more put itself in a position to defend the title it won in Japan in 2019. What happens between now and the final boils down to luck, but the team has shown that it is ca
pable of doing the best.’
Ms Dlulane also wished the Proteas cricket team all of the best when the play the Netherlands in the Cricket World Cup in India on Tuesday. This, after South Africa thumped the Australian team last week.
‘When our teams perform like this on the world stage, it feels good to be South African. We wish our teams all of the best. The expectation is huge, but they must just enjoy and be secure in the feeling that the country is behind them.’
The Springboks will play England next Saturday night for a spot in the finals.
Source: Parliament of South Africa