Springboks 'have done us proud'
10 October 2011
Despite bowing out of the Rugby World Cup, the Springboks flew the South African flag high in New Zealand, says Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola, urging Bok supporters to join in welcoming the team home at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday afternoon.
Senior players, coach Peter de Villiers and Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula will give a media briefing and meet supporters after they land in Johannesburg at 16h15 on Monday. Other players in the squad will arrive back home on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Springboks dominated the game, but the Wallabies somehow escaped with an 11-9 victory in the Rugby World quarterfinals on Sunday in Wellington.
'Millions of South Africans have played their part'
"Despite their loss the Springbok team has made the South African nation proud," Matola said in a statement after the game. "Throughout the country, indeed throughout the world, millions of South Africans have played their part by waving our flag with hope and wearing our jersey with pride - all in support of our team.
"Once again we have demonstrated the unifying and uplifting power of sport. Indeed, we are world-renowned not just for sporting excellence but for showing how sport can unite a nation and make history."
Interviewed on the field after the game, Springbok captain John Smit said: "It's just sad the way it ended. It really was a ding-dong battle between two good teams.
Asked how it felt to lose a match his team had dominated so much, Smit said: "It makes it hurt that much more. We really went in at half-time saying we need to hold onto the ball and get through phases. We did that and were patient.
"You know, a couple of missed opportunities, a drop kick, a try with Fourie [du Preez], a forward pass to Patty [Lambie]. We did enough to win this game, but we just weren't accurate enough."
'Keep the spirit alive'
Matola said that South Africans living in Zealand, along with those who had made the journey to watch the World Cup, had "further enhanced our reputation for friendliness, passion and pride in our nation.
"As Brand South Africa, we call upon every South African to continue to keep the pride, passion and spirit of our Rugby World Cup campaign alive."
SAinfo reporter
