/ 30 October 1999

BOKS ARE THE BEST — MBEKI

PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki says the Springboks were the best in a letter wishing the team well in their World Cup semi-final clash against the Wallabies. “I am convinced you are world champions,” Mbeki wrote in a letter addressed to captain Joost van der Westhuizen. “The whole world looks up to you as such.” Mbeki added: “I have observed with pride that the Springboks have never lost a game at a World Cup Tournament.” He urged the defending champions to keep to their game plan and pointed out that on Saturday, they would not just be representing South Africa, but the continent of Africa as a whole. “Whenever you take the field, you make South Africans proud of you and your country,” Mbeki added.