Rugby rallies behind Bafana with 100 days to go for big kick-off
2010-03-02 14:30
Rugby bosses today threw their full weight behind Bafana Bafana and
South Africa’s preparations to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union (SARU),
and Springbok coach Peter de Villiers were in Durban to mark the beginning of
the 100-day countdown to the World Cup kick-off and back the national soccer
team in their preparations for tomorrow night’s match against Namibia.
“All sports lovers and all South Africans must now be feeling their
pulses quickening as the World Cup countdown reaches this significant
milestone,” said Hoskins.
“We are heading into one of the most extraordinary periods in our
history and I’m not sure any of us are yet aware of what a magnificent
experience we’re going to share with each other and the world.
“The 1995 Rugby World Cup was a special time in our nation’s life
and Rugby World Cups are major international sporting events but the FIFA world
cup brings the eyes of the world with it and it is a marvellous opportunity for
our nation to demonstrate how far we have come since 1995 in the global shop
window.
“We are backing our soccer brothers at the South African Football
Association (SAFA) and on the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to deliver an
outstanding and memorable African World Cup of which we can all be proud.”
Rugby authorities established a smooth working relationship with
their soccer counterparts during last year’s tour by the British & Irish
Lions, which was staged at the same time and in flour of the same venues used
for the FIFA Confederations Cup.
And recently an accord was struck whereby tournament rules were
relaxed to allow the Springboks to host France in a Test match in Cape Town at a
time when other major sporting events have been postponed.
“The LOC and SAFA as well as our government took on a huge
challenge when they won the rights to host the World Cup but the facilities and
the supporting infrastructure that is being created is simply magnificent,” said
Hoskins.
“They have created a magnificent stage and we look forward to
celebrating their success with them.”
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he believed Bafana would be
inspired as the host nation: “They raised their game during the Confederations
Cup last year and when they run out at a packed Soccer City they’ll probably
feel ten feet tall – or at least as big as Bakkies Botha.
“It’s a special thing to play in a World Cup but to do so as a host
nation is a very rare privilege and that will come through on the field.
“The milestone is significant enough for SARU to interrupt its
Champion Tour to show its support to soccer. Soccer is a national sport that has
shown its solidarity to rugby on big occasions and it is now our turn to
reciprocate as the countdown to the opening match continues.”
- SAPA