MEC laments SA losing bid to France

Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Onicca Moloi has described the country’s 2023 Rugby World Cup bid loss as a missed opportunity for the province.
The Rugby World Cup bid was won by France and meaning the country will be staging the tourney for the second time, having previously hosted the 2007 games. The tournament also comes a year before Paris hosts the 2024 Olympic Games.
France beat bids from Ireland and won with 24 votes while South Africa only garnered 15 votes.
Speaking after her department’s 2023 Rugby World Cup bid support event held at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World last Wednesday, Moloi said they are disappointed with the outcome.
“We would have loved to win the bid and host the event for the second time but it was not to be. We know for sure that if we had won the bid, Peter Mokaba would be one of the stadiums hosting some of the games. This is not just a missed opportunity for the country but for the province as well,” Moloi said.

Story and photo: Herbert Rachuene
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