The Springboks and the All Blacks will do battle for the Freedom Cup when they meet in a Vodacom Tri-Nations fixture at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 14.
The Freedom Cup has been introduced to mark celebrations of South Africa’s 10 years of democracy. SA Rugby has identified the Ellis Park Test as the sport’s contribution to this year’s government-driven programme marking a decade since the first democratic elections in 1994.
In future years, the Freedom Cup will be contested every second year between the two countries. It will alternate on a home and away basis similar to the Mandela Cup, which is played for between South Africa and Australia.
”Ellis Park has great symbolic significance both for democracy in South Africa and Springbok rugby,” said SA Rugby president Brian van Rooyen.
”Also, the traditional rivalry between the Boks and the All Blacks is like no other and it was therefore fitting for SA Rugby to dedicate this particular test to the Ten Years of Democracy celebrations.
”The rivalry between our two countries dates back to 1921 and we have met each other on 64 previous occasions. The introduction of the Freedom Cup will hopefully give added significance to fixtures between the two countries, most specially in 2004 when South Africans celebrate 10 years of freedom, liberation and democracy,” Van Rooyen said.
CEO Mveleli Ncula added: ”SA Rugby has worked closely with government, the Ministry of Sport and the Department of Sport and Recreation to make sure that the Ellis Park event succeeds in adding to the democracy celebrations.
”We are aware that President Thabo Mbeki is extremely busy but remain hopeful that he will be available to attend the match.”
Springbok coach Jake White said: ”The All Blacks have been and always will be our traditional rivals. It is fantastic that South African and New Zealand rugby have supported the introduction of this very special and symbolic cup to mark what are always great rugby occasions between our two countries.”
Bok captain John Smit said he hopes that the Freedom Cup will give his team an added incentive to turn the tables on the All Blacks in the return Vodacom Tri-Nations leg.
”It was so near but so far in Christchurch, but we have an opportunity to change that at Ellis Park. We aim to do all we can to make happen and ensure that rugby’s contribution to the Ten Years of Democracy celebration is a successful one,” Smit said. — Sapa