Dear Fellow South African,
The Springboks’ win at the Stade de France on Saturday
night has lifted the nation’s spirits, confirming the
enduring power of sport to unite and build a nation.
The Springboks go down in history for having won the
Rugby World Cup more than any other nation, but this
alone is not what makes this an exceptional triumph.
The symbolism of this victory is as significant as the great
sporting achievement we have witnessed.
It has been under democracy that the Springboks racked
up these wins and lifted the coveted Webb Ellis Cup a
record four times.
When South Africa first competed in the Rugby World
Cup in 1995, our democracy was just a year old. Back then,
there was just one black player on the team, the
legendary Chester Williams. Of the squad that played in
the past weekend’s final, just short of half were black
players, including the team captain, Siya Kolisi.
The journey of the Springboks to the historic victory in the
2023 Rugby World Cup is as much about our journey
towards nationhood as it is about sporting excellence.
It is as much about our quest to ensure that
representation in all facets of public life, including sport,
stands as a potent symbol of the cherished values upon
which this country was founded.
The fervent, colourful and touching displays of national
pride from South Africans both at home and abroad
during this tournament, show that perhaps as never
before, the Springboks have well and truly been
embraced by all races as their own.
The viral clip of Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi
being cheered on by customers and store staff whilst out
grocery shopping, and that of Eben ‘Elizabedi’ Etzebeth
and RG Snyman dancing with South African fans near the
Eiffel Tower in Paris are among my personal favourites.
Witnessing so many South Africans don the national
team’s colours and profess their support online and on
other platforms speaks to the deep love for our country
and to our ability to pull together even when the going
gets tough.
We need more of this, and not just in the domain of sporting achievement.
That we were able to overcome one of the worst global
disasters in living memory in the form of the pandemic
was in large part due to our ability to rally around a
common cause, in pursuit of the greater good.
At times such as this, when our country faces many
problems that at times cause our spirits to flag, we are
reminded that our South Africanness, our sense of
community and belonging, and our very nationhood did
not evolve overnight.
It has taken considerable time to forge, and at times
faced obstacles that threw us into uncertainty and doubt.
But if the story of the transformation of South African
rugby, a sport that was once the bastion of racial
supremacy, is anything to go by, our country will continue
to reap the benefits of change if we remain united and if
we stay the course.
The patriotism we display in sports stadiums should be
reflected in our approach to overcoming our challenges.
We are all in this together as government, business,
labour, civil society and citizens.
We do not make light of South Africa’s challenges. They
cannot be forgotten or wished away by a fleeting
moment such as a sporting victory.
The Springboks’ win has united us in celebration. It is our
hope that it must also serve to inspire the younger
generation to derive important life lessons about
perseverance, teamwork, discipline and leadership.
The interview that Siya Kolisi gave shortly after the team’s
win on Saturday will be remembered as one of the most
poignant and meaningful from a sports person in our
country.
He spoke about the different backgrounds of the team
members and the difficulties they have had to overcome
to reach this pinnacle of sporting achievement. “You have
to be South African to see, feel and experience the things
we do,” he said.
This Springbok squad is one of the best rugby teams in
the history of the sport. But they are far more than that.
They are also great ambassadors for our country and for
the values that continue to drive our efforts to build a
united, more equal and prosperous nation.
With best regards,