South Africans call for holiday after Rugby World Cup success

South Africans awoke with both joy and a few sore heads on Sunday, celebrating their consecutive Rugby World Cup victories after a tense 12-11 win against long-standing rivals New Zealand in the 2023 final in Paris.

Rugby holds a unique significance in South Africa, acting as a powerful unifying force across diverse racial lines and offering a path for talented individuals to rise from poverty.

Securing their fourth World Cup win out of eight tournaments was a hard-fought feat, combined with a fair share of luck, making the triumph all the more meaningful for their supporters.

Sandile Ntu, a fan watching the final at Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela Square, highlighted the unity among people, emphasizing that irrespective of race, the goal was to witness the Springboks' victory.

"It was a nail-biter. We gave it our all. We earned this. South Africa clearly dominated New Zealand in the game," Ntu remarked.

The journey of the Springboks' captain, Siya Kolisi, symbolizes the transformative potential of the sport, rising from the impoverished Zwide township in the Eastern Cape to become the second man in history to lift the World Cup twice, following in the footsteps of New Zealand's Richie McCaw.

Kolisi serves as an emblem for fans from various backgrounds, particularly resonating with those who relate to his remarkable story.

"Siya Kolisi did this for us," supporter Tshidiso Mnisi expressed. "The entire squad achieved it for us. We stand united. As South Africans, we are proud."

President Cyril Ramaphosa, present in Paris for the final, had hinted at the possibility of declaring a public holiday if the Springboks secured the trophy, a sentiment enthusiastically embraced by the fans.

"I'm thrilled. Monday should be a holiday!" supporter Hendrick Ngobeni exclaimed.

In the aftermath of their win, President Ramaphosa praised the team's achievement, emphasizing how "Stronger Together" became a lived reality for Springbok supporters across the nation, the continent, and the world.

"Siya Kolisi and the 2023 World Cup champions have bestowed upon us an exceptional and inspirational national triumph that elevates our spirits and raises our flag even higher," Ramaphosa said in a statement.