Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has come out in defence of South Africa’s capability to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The World Rugby Council has recommended South Africa as a host of the tournament ahead of France and Ireland.
However, some opponents especially in France have cited South Africa’s high crime rate, the inability to fill stadiums for Super Rugby matches, and the threat of ratings downgrades to criticise the country’s legitimacy to host the rugby World Cup. The final choice to host the 2023 rugby showpiece will be announced next week.
Addressing the media outside Pretoria, Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s credentials to stage major sporting events.
“We are hoping that we will bring good news back to our country and confident that we are capable to host big events like that. Those who are complaining about crime are misplaced in their argument because all those events we run crime free without endangering the lives of spectators and players,” says Ramaphosa.
