The Springboks left for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan with a spring in their step after a heart-felt farewell from assembled supporters at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning. The Boks are leaving for Japan early to acclimatise to humid conditions and unfamiliar customs, and know they will feel fairly isolated for the duration of their tournament.
The team departs for Japan with a fair amount of controversy dogging the side, but also with unconditional support.
The Boks are ranked fifth in the world, but their first match against New Zealand will be the best gauge of where they really are.
“We’ll always have challenges in life in the sporting field and so on but what trumps it all is when we have our eyes firm on the ball and the ball here is to win for the country,” says Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture.
For the 31 members of the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad, it was a humbling experience.
It’s definitely a dream come true and we’re here at this great outing with all the love and support from the supporters. We really appreciate it from our side. We will definitely give our best at the World Cup and I hope we’ll make the country proud,” says Lukhanyo Am who is Springbok centre.
“I feel we’re excited to go and play and represent the country and represent our families, everything,” says Makazole Mapimpi who is the Springbok wing.
“For all the folks coming out today and supporting us and sending us off it helps a lot and when you’re lonely that side you know there’s fifty four million South Africans so it’s great,” says Kwagga Smith who is the Springbok flank.
The long plane trip to the land of the cherry blossoms should also give players ample time to think about the task at hand.
“There is a lot of pressure going to this world cup when it comes to scrummaging but I think the whole pack is looking forward to it,” says Trevor Nyakane who is the Springbok tighthead.
“We are going to need to get used to the environment, get used to the people, get used to how we do things and get used to the travel. I think that’s going to be the main thing to get used to,” says Elton Jantjies who is the Springbok flyhalf.
The Boks play Japan in a warm-up match next Friday, and then it’s their first World Cup group match against the All Blacks on the 21st of September.
