President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the 15th of December a public holiday in celebration of the Springboks winning the Rugby World Cup for a record fourth time.
This is also in celebration of the achievements of other sports men and women including the Proteas and Banyana Banyana.
The “Bokke” clinched the championship after defeating the All Blacks 12 – 11 in the Rugby World Cup final in France on Saturday evening.
The home side claimed the Webb Ellis Cup for the fourth time.
In addressing the nation on Monday evening, Ramaphosa said he knows many people wanted a public holiday now.
But he said the country’s matriculants should be given the time to focus on their exams.
” I know that many of us want to have a holiday now to celebrate. But we should all agree that we should give our matriculants time to focus on their exams and celebrate afterwards. In celebration of the Springboks’ momentous achievement and the achievements of all our other sportsmen and women. And as a tribute to the resolve of our united nation. We declare this to be a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sportsmen and women have shown us what is possible. We will succeed and we will ensure that we leave no one behind”.
