Cape Town – Videos circulating on social media purportedly show a man attempting to steal what appears to be the Webb Ellis trophy during the Springboks’ celebration of their Rugby World Cup 2023 victory in South Africa.
Thousands of South Africans gathered in various cities to commemorate the Springboks’ historic fourth World Cup win.
In one video, a man on a bus is seen pointing at a person holding a cup, leading to accusations on social media that he was trying to steal the trophy.
However, according to News24, SA Rugby said that the trophy never left the bus and is always accompanied by security.
“It never leaves the bus and [the trophy] is always accompanied by security,” the report quoted an SA Rugby spokesperson as saying.
@_thejer So dude tried to steal the #worldcuptrohy #capetown ♬ original sound – Jermaine
Meanwhile, Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), criticised the Springboks, branding them a symbol of apartheid and white supremacy.
Malema called for the removal of the Springbok name and its associated colors, stating that they represent a history of white supremacy and apartheid.
He expressed his refusal to support anything associated with these symbols.
♦️Must Watch♦️
CIC @Julius_S_Malema addressing the EFF Gauteng Provincial Ground Forces Forum.
– MABOKOBOKO is an Afrikaner pride, it’s an Afrikaner property – that is why the President of the Afrikaners, Johann Rupert, received amaBokoboko. #RegisterToVoteEFF pic.twitter.com/BFjZq7KS2b
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 5, 2023
“We do not have a problem with rugby. We love rugby, but we do not love mabokoboko. Mabokoboko, die bokke, Springbok is an apartheid symbol.
“You cannot say remove apartheid symbols and maintain the name Springbok and the emblem Springbok and the colours that were used during apartheid by white people. We support rugby, but not the one for Boers,” Malema said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
