Springboks Michael Yormark
Who will coach and captain the Springboks in the 2024 Rugby World Cup? Image: File

Home » Springboks public holiday falls 15 December: ‘A day of celebration’

Springboks public holiday falls 15 December: ‘A day of celebration’

As promised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the 15th December (tomorrow) will be a public holiday in honour of the Springboks RWC victory.

14-12-23 11:19
Springboks Michael Yormark
Who will coach and captain the Springboks in the 2024 Rugby World Cup? Image: File

Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa has called on South Africans to “relive the moments that followed the final whistle” of the 2023 Rugby World Cup when the Springboks made history as the fourth-time winners of the title in Paris, France on 28 October.

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ZIZI KODWA URGES SOUTH AFRICANS TO CELEBRATE THE SPRINGBOKS HOLIDAY

The National Sports Day celebration in honour of the Springboks’ victory in the 2023 Rugby World Cup games will take place on Friday, 15 December. The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa approved the holiday during his speech in October where he addressed the masses and said, “In celebration of the Springboks’ momentous achievement, and all our other sportsmen and women, I’m declaring Friday the 15th of December as a public holiday.”

In a statement recently shared on X (formally known as Twitter), the Sports, Ars, and Culture Department said “It is fitting that this celebratory holiday occurs during Reconciliation Month, which is dedicated to fostering reconciliation and unity in the country”.

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Minister Zizi Kodwa has since called on all South Africans to celebrate “the country’s sporting excellence and to showcase creative artistic brilliance”.

“I call on South Africans to wear our national team colours and jerseys on Friday. Let us gather in villages and towns to celebrate what has been a momentous year for South African sport and creative arts,” Kodwa’s said.

Springboks
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, Director or Rugby Rassie Erasmus and retiring Springbok legend Duane Vermeulen display their Rugby World Cup medals and the ultimate prize in rugby, the Webb-Ellis Cup. @springboks on X

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‘A DAY OF HOPE’: MORE ABOUT THE HOLIDAY

The Springboks flew the South African flag high in Paris after beating the New Zealand’s All Blacks team 12-11 in the final. To honour the victory, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the 15th of December as “a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity.”

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