…..South Africa 12-11 New Zealand
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) region 5 has congratulated the South African Men’s National Rugby Team the Springboks for prevailing over New Zealand’s All Blacks at the just ended Rugby World Cup held in France from 8th September to 28th October 2023.
The Region 5 Chief Executive Officer Stanley Mutoya expressed delight in the triumph by the Springboks and raising not just Region 5 flag but the African flag high at the global tournament.
“Congratulations to South Africa!The springboks have done it! Retained the Rugby World Cup! Withstood the unrelenting pressure from the All Blacks! Congratulations South Africa!Africa is the delight of the World”, Mutoya said from Gaborone, Botswana.
He highlighted that Region 5 was impressed and proud of the Springboks for winning their fourth World Cup at the tenth Rugby World Cup in France.
What was even more historic was that the Springboks became the second team to retain the World Cup in two consecutive editions after winning the cup in Japan in 2019 after defeating England.
The All Blacks are the other team to have won back-to-back Rugby World Cups after defeating France in 2011 in the final and beating Australia in 2015.
” The victory by the Springboks is significant to the region as it inspires and galvanises the entire region towards excellence. It Inspires millions of young people and brings hope to many budding athletes across the sports codes”,said Mutoya.
He expressed a need for a long-term athlete development programmes as well as the need to invest in adequate preparations for sustainable success in Sports as Springboks begun the journey towards the tenth Rugby World Cup in 2018.
“South Africa has demonstrated that there are no short cuts to sporting excellence. African countries need to pick lessons on the need to invest in adequate preparations and sustainable programmes that ensure that success never comes as a one-time wonder”, added Mutoya.
He then congratulated South African Government, SASCOC and South African Rugby Union for being tenacious and resolute in putting in place strategies, systems, structures and resources that have seen the sport remaining a winning game and the pride of Africa and World since 1995.
The Springboks won this year’s Rugby World Cup after defeating the All Blacks of New Zealand 12-11 in the final.
