The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)’s Julius Malema says he supports rugby but does not support the Springboks because he believes they have come to symbolise apartheid.
Malema was speaking to thousands of members at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, who will be campaigning for the party ahead of the 2024 elections.
Malema says the Springboks emblem and colours must be replaced.
“Why are we being forced to salute the emblem that was saluted by Malan, salute the emblem that was saluted by Botha by Verwoed, by De Klerk, by murderers who were killing our people wearing the same jersey in celebration of butchering black people? That emblem and that jersey represent white supremacists that we don’t support.”
The Boks have been meeting and thanking their fans in some of the country’s major cities following their one-point victory over long-time rivals the New Zealand All Blacks.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has thanked the rugby team for sharing their victory with the rest of the country. He was speaking on the sidelines of the Boks’ victory tour in East London, Eastern Cape.
Boks Victory Tour | Springboks arrive at East London City Hall to heroes welcome:
