No matter if the Springboks win or lose against Australia in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, South Africa showed the world they were united, Sports and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula said shortly before the game.
“Tonight is the night, the eyes of each and every South African, loud and clear from the village and township streets to town and city avenues, will be glued to Wellington, witnessing the world champs Springboks, attacking with the ferocity of a cornered bull and the agility of a cat,” Mbalula was quoted in a statement saying at the Civic Square in Wellington, New Zealand.
“Congratulations South Africa, for travelling together, and let’s continue until the final when we lift the trophy. The podium is ours.”
Mbalula, attending the Bok game later in the afternoon, was addressing South Africans at the Ekhaya Hospitality Centre. The game kicked off at 7am South African time.
The centre is the base camp for Springbok fans during the Rugby World Cup.
Mbalula again told the Boks and all South Africans that they were children and grandchildren of former president Nelson Mandela.
“The children of warrior women and men, winning is in our DNA … the battle has been won,” he said.
“Now the war starts, and at the end is motherland or death — victory is certain.”
Teams:
Australia: Kurtley Beale; James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Radike Semo, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom; James Horwill (capt), Dan Vickerman; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu
Replacements: Tatafu Polota Nau, James Slipper, Nathan Sharpe, Ben McCalman, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Anthony Fainga’a
South Africa: Patrick Lambie; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow; Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw; Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Gio Aplon — Sapa, AFP
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