Pretoria – Cabinet has commended South Africans for supporting the Springboks before they departed for New Zealand last Thursday to defend the World Rugby title, which they won in France four years ago.
“Cabinet applauds South Africans for rallying behind the Springboks and for the vibrant send-off given to the champions as they defend their title in the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand,” said Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup kicks off tomorrow with an opening match between the host New Zealand and Tonga.
The Springboks will play their first match on Sunday in Wellington against Wales. South Africa is drawn in pool D along with neighbouring Namibia, Fiji and Samoa.
Manyi further announced that Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will attend the opening ceremony and will also watch the opening match.
“Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will conduct a working visit to New Zealand to meet Prime Minister John Key.
“During his visit, Deputy President will attend the opening ceremony and first match of the Rugby World Cup tomorrow, 9 September, in Auckland,” he said.
Cabinet also congratulated Team South Africa for making the country proud as they dominated the first leg of the swimming competition at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique. The swimming team has bagged 11 medals, taking the country’s medal tally to 15.
The South African under-23 national team, known as Amaglug-glug, is also through to the next stage of the tournament after beating hosts Mozambique 3-1 in their opening game, and again beating Ghana 1-0. – BuaNews
