By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (centre R) and South Africa’s flanker Siya Kolisi (centre L) lift the Webb Ellis Cup as they celebrate winning the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on November 2, 2019. Photo Credit: AFP.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to fly to Paris for Saturday’s much-anticipated Rugby World Cup final between the game’s greatest rivals, South Africa and New Zealand, at the Stade de France in Paris.
The last time the Boks faced off against New Zealand in a World Cup final was in 1995, when iconic South African president Nelson Mandela handed captain Francois Pienaar the Webb Ellis Cup.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed on Thursday that Ramaphosa will travel to France and is really looking forward to be invited onto the pitch for a second time by captain Siya Kolisi to help lift the cup for the world champions.
“This will be the first time any country will hold four Rugby World Cup titles. The President wishes the Springboks and the All Blacks well for this showcase which we hope will be a memorable event for those who will be in the stadium as well as the global media audience that will be following the game,” Magwenya said.
Magwenya said Ramaphosa’s presence in the European country will be “an opportunity for a brief bilateral interaction” with French President Emmanuel Macron.
“The President will also take the opportunity to visit the squad at their hotel to deliver words of encouragement on behalf of the nation,” Magwenya said.
Meanwhile, speaking on the official Springboks website, captain Siya Kolisi said the team is aware of the importance of the match for the entire nation.
“It’s probably the biggest game of my life. I don’t think it will happen in our lifetimes again that we have another game like this, and we are excited. We know how good [the All Blacks] are.”
“What we do on Saturday can control the mood of over 62 million South Africans. People have been sending messages saying when we play it is the only time they are happy, and as a team we represent all kinds of people,” Kolisi said.
Teams
South Africa: Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jessie Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie le Roux.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele’a, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.