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SAFA firmly behind Springboks

Johannesburg - The South African Football Association (SAFA) has thrown its weight behind the Springbok Rugby team ahead of the 2011 IRB World Cup tournament in New Zealand.

South Africa are the defending champions and the country is hopeful that they will successfully defend their trophy when the tournament gets underway on September 9 to October 23.

For their part, the SAFA staff members as well the members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) will don their Springbok jerseys on Friday, August 26 and every Friday thereafter.

On Tuesday, August 23 Springbok coach Pieter de Villiers announced a 30-man squad he will be banking on to return with the Webb Ellis Cup. Eighteen of those players were part of the France 2007 winning team, when they lifted the trophy at the Stade de France in Paris on October 20, after defeating England 15-6.

In June this year, Bafana Bafana posed for photographs wearing Springbok jerseys. This was ahead of their 2011 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt in June.

The Pitso Mosimane-led squad is expected to record a message of good luck prior to the Boks' departure for New Zealand on Thursday, September 1.

Bafana Bafana go into camp on Sunday, August 28 in order to prepare for their AFCON qualifier against Niger in Niamey on Sunday, September 4.

The Springboks also played a big role and showed their support to Bafana Bafana shortly before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Captains of both sides, Aaron Mokoena and John Smit as well as the coaches of the two teams, Carlos Parreira and Peter de Villiers, exchanged jerseys back then.

Of the 20 teams that will contest the 2011 Rugby World Cup, only South Africa and Australia have won the tournament twice each.

South Africa opens their account against Wales in Group D on September 11.

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