New Zealand were chosen by the International Rugby Board as hosts for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Dublin on Thursday. New Zealand edged out Japan after South Africa was voted out in the first round. The result was never expected as SA, along with Japan, had been considered clear favourites to go head-to-head in the final round for the right to stage the rugby showpiece.
The anticipated victory champagne had to be left on ice as the wind was well and truly taken out of SA’s sails well before the crunch moment.
As the news of the crushing defeat spread at the official function held in Sandton, Johannesburg, looks of disbelief and stunned silence gripped the sponsors, members of the media and interested parties.
The reaction was a far cry from the jubilation that filtered through the country last year when South Africa was awarded the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Saru CEO, Mveleli Ncula, reeling from the announcement, admitted it was a big blow for South Africa to lose out.
”This is definitely a big blow for Francois [Pienaar] and the bid team. I never ever expected [to be voted out in the first round],” said Ncula from Dublin.
”I honestly thought we would go all the way.”
South Africa hosted the 1995 event, where the Springboks — led by the inspirational Pienaar — went on to beat New Zealand 15-12 in the emotional final at Ellis Park.
The defeat is a major blow to transformation in the game in South Africa and Africa at large. Pienaar had said prior to departure for Dublin last week that winning the rights to host the event would aid transformation tremendously.
”Our conviction is that hosting the IRB Rugby World Cup in 2011 will revive the rugby spark from 1995 among all South Africans and with SA Rugby Union’s development structures in place, the impetus of the tournament will drive lasting transformation,” said Pienaar.
South African rugby fans will now have to be content with just having the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to look forward to. – Sapa-AFP