#StrongerTogether: Ramaphosa’s ‘New Dawn’ Forged In The Land Of The Rising Sun

Riyaz Patel

Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi says he hopes hopes winning the World Cup in Japan will “inspire every kid” in South Africa, with President Ramaphosa describing the victory as a “moment of inspiration.”

The Springboks secured a record-equalling third world title after sweeping away the English 32-12 in a dominant display in Yokohama, Japan.

It was to some a bitter-sweet victory.

Bitter in the sense that both starting wings in the Springboks’ famous 1995 Rugby World Cup victory – James Small and Chester Williams – passed away in the last four months.

And when left wing Makazole Mapimpi – who inherited the left-wing number 11 jersey number of ’95 winger Williams, and Colby Cheslin who wore the 14 right-wing jersey as did Small in ’95 – crossed over for South Africa’s first and only tries in a Rugby World Cup Final, it appeared that the 2019 Springbok triumph was written in the stars.

An ecstatic President