Mnangagwa congratulates Springboks

President Mnangagwa extended his heartfelt congratulations to the South African men's senior rugby team, the Springboks, for their triumphant victory in the Rugby World Cup held in Paris, France on Saturday night.

In an extraordinary feat, the Springboks defied expectations to defeat former world champions and their perennial Southern Hemisphere rivals, New Zealand, with a score of 12-11 in a grueling and intense battle, securing their fourth Rugby World Cup victory.

President Mnangagwa promptly conveyed his best wishes to his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, for the historic achievement of the Springboks. He praised the team for their unwavering determination and strength in clinching the title, emphasizing that Zimbabwe celebrates alongside them.

The Springboks made history by becoming the first team to secure the Rugby World Cup four times, a remarkable achievement considering they missed the inaugural tournaments in 1987 and 1991. They retained the Webb Ellis Trophy, which they had also won in Japan four years earlier under the leadership of Siya Kolisi. Previous triumphs for the Springboks occurred in 1995 and 2007. The back-to-back World Cup victories ignited nationwide celebrations in South Africa.

The African Union Sports Council Region 5 (AUSC Region 5) swiftly joined other sporting organizations in congratulating South Africa. The region, which includes Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, commended the Springboks for their historic achievement.

Stanley Mutoya, the Chief Executive of the regional sports organization, based in Gaborone, Botswana, expressed delight in the Springboks' triumph. He emphasized the importance of the victory in raising the flags of Region 5 and Africa high on the global stage.

Mutoya praised the Springboks for their remarkable feat in winning their fourth World Cup at the 10th Rugby World Cup in France. Notably, the Springboks became the second team to retain the World Cup in consecutive editions, following their 2019 victory in Japan against England.

Mutoya underscored the significance of the Springboks' victory as a source of inspiration for young athletes across various sports disciplines in the Region. He highlighted the need for long-term athlete development programs and substantial investments in preparations for sustainable success in sports.

Mutoya commended the South African Government, SASCOC, and the South African Rugby Union for their unwavering commitment to implementing effective strategies, systems, structures, and resources that have consistently positioned rugby as a winning sport and a source of pride for Africa and the world since 1995.

The Springboks' victory in 1995, inspired by the late President Nelson Mandela, united Africa and South Africa, and the tradition of success continued in subsequent World Cups, with wins in 2007, 2019, and now 2023. Mutoya praised South Africa's Winning Nation strategy and their resolute dedication to achieving sporting excellence.

In conclusion, Mutoya extended heartfelt congratulations to the Springboks for their outstanding achievement, acknowledging the significance of their triumph in promoting excellence and unity in the Region. He emphasized the importance of preparing for success in sports through sustained effort and investment, and he applauded South Africa's commitment to upholding the pride of Africa and the world in rugby.