This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
Published on September 20, 2019, by AFP.
South Africa's Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa has underscored the importance of the Springboks' World Cup victory, describing it as a unifying symbol for the nation.
Speaking to AFP on the eve of the Springboks' opening match against New Zealand in Yokohama, Japan, Mthethwa emphasized that a World Cup win would have national significance, particularly in the context of the country's current challenges.
"From the opening match, the most important thing for us is clinching victory, the World Cup itself, so we're confident," Mthethwa said.
He added that a Springboks win would be a victory for the entire country, especially in the project of uniting the nation's people.
South Africa's sporting success has been a significant factor in the country's development, particularly since the poignant moment in 1995 when the Springboks won the World Cup final and Nelson Mandela presented the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar.
"Sport in South Africa has worked as a unifying factor for all of us so it's so important for us as a government in this difficult situation of a global economic slump," Mthethwa said.
