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WATCH: ‘Bokke, My Dali’ – Can Boks victory secure South Africa a Public Holiday?
Ramaphosa said he would consider a Public Holiday if the Boks lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
President Cyril Ramaphosa celebrating the Springboks victory against England in Rugby World Cup semifinal on Saturday, 21 October.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has not made up his mind yet about whether South Africans will be granted an extra Public Holiday if the Springboks win the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks prowess has gripped the nation, keeping South Africans on the edge of their seats with exceptionally thrilling and last minute wins against France and England.
The Boks will play the All Blacks in the final showdown at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Saturday at 9pm.
Public holiday
Earlier this month, Ramaphosa said he would consider a public holiday if the Boks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup.
However, it seems the president has not yet come to decision just yet, according to his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Ramaphosa considers public holiday if Springboks win Rugby World Cup
“The president has received a lot of messages in this regard via us and directly. South Africans from all walks of life have reached out to him.
“He said to me, I must relay the fact that he’s considering the request, but he is certainly looking forward to lifting that Webb Ellis Cup for the second time,” Magwenya said on Thursday.
A song for the Boks
South Africans have been fervently supporting the Springboks, like Kearsney College students who performed a song to spur the team on this weekend.
They sang “Bokke, My Dali! (‘Bokke, my Darling’ – a Gwijo for the Springboks)
Watch the song by Kearsney College for the Springboks
Battle lines drawn
Meanwhile, Springbok fullback Willie le Roux said the battle lines will be drawn and respect put aside when they take on the All Blacks.
The rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks dates back over a century, with mutual respect and admiration from both sides always acknowledged.
With so much riding on the result, Le Roux says the All Blacks will be regarded as the enemy when they step onto the turf this weekend.
“To face them in a World Cup final is special,” Le Roux said.
South Africa and New Zealand have both won the Rugby World Cup three times, and Saturday’s final will see one of them win the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth occasion.
Additional reporting by Athenkosi Tsotsi
ALSO READ: ‘No friends’: Boks bracing for battle against All Blacks, says Le Roux
