Springboks’ record fourth World Cup to be celebrated with public holiday

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday that the Springboks’ record fourth Rugby World Cup title will be celebrated as a public holiday on December 15.

The Springboks created history as they claimed back-to-back World Cup titles, becoming the second team to do so but the first side to win the prestigious tournament on four occasions.

Siya Kolisi’s troops defied the odds to claim three single-point wins in the knockout stages to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. It was a display of remarkable resilience and commitment from the players.

Working together

The President believes the team has shown the people of South Africa what can be achieved through unity.

“In celebration of the Springboks’ momentous achievement and the achievements of all our other sportsmen and women, and as a tribute to the resolve of our united nation, I am declaring Friday the 15th of December 2023 as a public holiday,” President Ramaphosa said.

“We declare this to be a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sportsmen and women have shown us what is possible. We will succeed and we will ensure that we leave no one behind.”

The President made reference to the ‘Stronger Together’ campaign that the Springboks have pushed for years now. Ramaphosa also paid tribute to the words of the late, great Nelson Mandela.

“The determination and resilience of our teams have given credence to Madiba’s (Mandela) words that sports unites the nation. In their achievements, they have revealed much about the unity of the people of the country they represent,” he said.

“As a people, we have shown before what is possible when we are united, when we are determined, when we try hard and when we refuse to give up. Together, we overcame apartheid, ended centuries of conflict and gave birth to a thriving democracy. Together, we confronted and overcame the deadliest global pandemic in over a century. We are indeed stronger together.

Expert resilience

Finally, the President commended the team’s resilience in battle as they fought back from some difficult positions in their victorious campaign.

“As we all watched their progress towards the championship, we marvelled at their resilience and determination to overcome some of the best teams in the rugby world,” he said.

“At moments when their cause seemed lost, they fought back and they emerged victorious.”