Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has hinted at the possibility of declaring a public holiday if the national rugby team, the Springboks, win the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The announcement came after the Springboks’ thrilling victory over France, a match described as one of the most exciting in the tournament.
South Africans are eagerly supporting their team, and many are requesting a day off to celebrate if they win.
However, Ramaphosa said that a public holiday would only be considered if the Springboks win the final, in which he intends to be present.
“South Africans are revelling in this incredible success that our boys have achieved in Paris. Many of them [South Africans] felt that we should declare [Monday] as a public holiday, and I declined, and I said we would only consider that when they [the Springboks] win the final, which I will be personally present [for],” he said.
“We will consider the calls for a public holiday when the @Springboks win the final…”
President @CyrilRamaphosa #GoBokke 🦌#RSA pic.twitter.com/MSo6Y1PVNI
— ATHI GELEBA 🇿🇦 (@AthiGeleba) October 16, 2023
He was speaking on Monday at the second green hydrogen summit in Cape Town.
At the outset of his speech, Ramaphosa humorously remarked that he had been unsuccessful in reaching out to French President Emmanuel Macron “to commiserate” with him after the tense one-point victory of the Springboks over the host nation France in the quarter-final clash in Paris on Sunday evening.
With a wry smile, he mentioned that he and Macron frequently discussed both the triumphs and challenges faced by their respective countries. Ramaphosa concluded by saying, “I’m confident we’ll catch up later,” a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
The Springboks are now two games away from lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy, with their semifinal against England approaching.
The Springboks will go up against England in their semifinal on Saturday, following a day when their fierce rivals, the All Blacks, would have played against Argentina.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
