As the Springbok team prepares to arrive home, President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged other African countries to train and develop their sports teams, to help the continent make a meaningful presence in the field.
This after the Boks won the Rugby World Cup at the weekend, bringing joy and a sense of pride to many South Africans. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, vice-captain Handre Pollard and birthday boy, coach Rassie Erasmus, have been delayed in Sydney and are expected to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport at seven o’clock on Tuesday evening.
Speaking to CNBC Africa, Ramaphosa says sports has the ability to unify a nation.
“Sports can be used as a unifier and we’ve seen it in our own nation in 1995 leading up to now. Our people are energised with this victory and we want to project it as a victory for the continent. As much as SA is a top rugby playing nation on the continent, we would like to see other African countries playing rugby so that we as a continent can begin to make a meaningful presence. It will not only unify our nation but the continent as well.”
