Parliament, Sunday, 8 September 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Joe McGluwa, said South Africans must not lose momentum in the spirit of oneness after celebrating and supporting the Springboks.
The Springboks returned the Freedom Cup that South Africa traditionally plays for against the All Blacks of New Zealand, and thus put themselves in a very commanding position to win the 2024 edition of the Rugby Championship.
Mr McGluwa congratulated the Springboks on their two hard-fought wins against the All Blacks. He said: “What we saw over the past two weeks has been unbelievable. New Zealand had been decent and gracious visitors. The Springboks were excellent hosts of the All Blacks and have truly played for the country. They represented all there is to know about South Africa, unity, resilience and the winning mentality.”
He continued: “The Boks have proved once more that they are a uniting force for all South Africans. They literally made the country revisit the levels of unity we only saw when they won the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. The country should build on this momentum and work to advance social cohesion.”
The Springboks remain unbeaten in the Championship and have all but won the tournament with two games in hand against Argentina, who present a different challenge.
Mr McGluwa said it was once proven that rugby unites us all and gives us an identity and character. “We should build on this momentum as South Africans. We appreciate that at least one test match was shown on the free-to-air SABC2 that is watched by millions of poor South Africans,” he added.
The committee extends a congratulatory message to the Springbok management under the transformational leadership of Coach Rassie Erasmus, whose mandate speaks to that of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to build and enhance social cohesion, promote participation, and deepen the spirit of unity amongst South Africans.
“Bringing the freedom Trophy home after so many years, Rassie has shown me what this country is capable of,” concluded Mr McGLuwa. South Africa will now shift focus to Argentina.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE, MR JOE MACGLUWA.
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