The handing out of Springbok jerseys, a pre-matchday tradition in the South African team, has a new member in their club.
Fikile Mbalula, the minister for Sport and Recreation, presented the team with their match jerseys in London on Friday – ahead of the Boks’ encounter with England at Twickenham on Saturday.
The minister told the team to dismiss the (17-21) setback against Scotland last week and remember that they were the pride of a nation.
“In a war you win some battles and you lose some battles, but the strategic aim is to focus on winning the war,” Fikile said.
“You have lost one battle, but you have not lost the war,” he said.
“This is an important game for all the people of South Africa and we wish you all courage and that you will do our nation proud. The people of South Africa are behind you. The government of South Africa is behind you.
“You are world champions and we are proud of you. You have a challenge, but we know you can overcome through strength. Tomorrow [Saturday] when all odds are against you we know that you will strive as children of people who are made of steel, the children of warriors and that is why we have flown here, because you are the pride of the nation.”
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers thanked Minister Mbalula for making the special trip to London and for becoming the first sports minister in De Villiers’ three-year tenure to accept an invitation to present the jerseys.
Minister Mbalula said: “I want to assure you that whenever you play I will make it a point that if I have the time I will be there with you. You are a sporting code that has come to be the pride of the nation. When people talk about South Africa they talk about champions and they talk about the Springboks and we are very proud of you.
“We are with you; we are one nation. It is through rugby that we have learnt that we can live together as one people and you have united us. You have given hope to the hopeless and courage to those who want to make South Africa proud and that is why we support you.”
This man Mbalula makes the right noises, hope what he says is from the heart.
We could do with some genuine backing from Government!
…. and I agree with him, rugby is the sport all other sports in SA should strive to equal…
… but even our rugby could be better with better understanding and constructive support from Government… so that merit selections and appointments can be made, to serve all in rugby in SA, and develop the game in the areas where only Government can provide the amenities to ensure future groth and rugby prosperity amongst all interest groups is fostered.
I will shelve the cynical side of my nature for the time being….and take the man at his word. Lets see what his long term agenda is.
Oh…and by the way Mr Minister while you are here supporting our rugby, make sure you take advantage of the best Christmas shopping city in the World, where you can buy just about anything in just about any price range….and with the strong Rand at the moment you should not miss this opportunity while here doing your job.
2@ 4man:
We are cynical, are’nt we…. hehehehe
… but I think it is excusable given recent history…..
@ grootblousmile:
Kom ons wag en sien.
@ 4man:
Kom ek se julle hy is net tydelk in die pos. So kyk maar mooi waarheen hy mik. Iets soos Sekretaris generaal van die ANC word gese. Maar laat ons kyk hoe hy in die 2 jaar ons gemoedens kan kalmeer. Onthou net een ding, vergeet van Peter fire. Hy het klaar gese hy staan by hom en dat ons nie soos met sokker na een nedelaag die coach moet fire nie.
superbul.hoe kan die minster die bokke wat 3de gerank is met die sokker wat 50ste gerank is vergelyk?jy is reg,snor sal nie gefire word nie soos die engelse se only in south africa.
@ Piet visagie:
Ou Pieta more man, sal maar stil bly is die beste geweer.
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