Phumzile to meet with Springboks
11 October 2007
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is to meet with the Springboks in Paris on Saturday ahead of their Rugby World Cup semifinal against Argentina.
Mlambo-Ngcuka and Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe will offer the Ama-bokke their moral support while they are in France for discussions with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon.
The Springboks beat Fiji 37-20 in Marseille last weekend to set up a date with Argentina's Pumas on Sunday. After the upset defeats of New Zealand and Australia, South Africa is the sole Tri-Nations representative left in the competition.
Results have gone South Africa's way throughout the tournament so far, with the Boks having to face Fiji in the quarterfinals when Wales were expected to reach the last eight, and now Argentina - 19-13 winners over Scotland - in the semifinals when France was expected to be the opposition.
The Boks have never lost to the Pumas, but Agustin Pichot's team has
played very well until now, and it will take a focused South African performance to stop them.
Mlambo-Ngcuka and Van der Merwe are also expected to pay a courtesy visit to French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Their discussions with Prime Minister Fillon, due to start on Thursday and end on Sunday, will be aimed at strengthening South Africa's political, economic and trade relations with France.
They will also plan Sarkozy's visit to South Africa in 2008.
Source: BuaNews
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