JOHANNESBURG, November 9 (ANA) – The SA government has urged South Africans to wear green on Friday in a bid to boost South Africa’s chances of hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
World Rugby announced last week that South Africa had produced a superb bid and was the clear leader on a competitive tendering process to host the tournament.
The final decision lies in the hands of the World Rugby Council who will vote on the recommendation in London on November 15.
France finished second and Ireland third in the evaluation process. Both nations have said they will attempt to overturn the recommendation.
“We are within touching distance of realising a long-held dream to host the Rugby World Cup once again, therefore my Department urges all South Africans to wear green this Friday in preparation of the final announcement next week Wednesday,” said SA minister of sport and recreation Thembelani Nxesi.
“We cannot falter just short of the finishing line and we need to send a clear message to the World Rugby Council that South Africa is ready and excited to host the most memorable Rugby World Cup tournament there has ever been.
“That is why we are calling on all South Africans to unite behind this wonderful, nation-building event that will also bring significant economic, emotional and inspirational benefits to our country. I, therefore, would urge all South Africans to wear their Springbok jerseys on Friday this week and the following Friday as well as on D-Day –Wednesday, November 15 – to show their eagerness and excitement to welcome the Rugby World Cup back to South Africa. If you don’t have a Springbok jersey yet, wear green.”
“There is no more visible way of showing the nation’s support for this bid than by wearing their Springbok colours,” said Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby. – African News Agency (ANA),
