Share

Boks excited about 2023 RWC bid

Cape Town - No-one knows the rugby set-up in South Africa better than the country’s best players and for Warren Whiteley, Oupa Mohoje and Jan Serfontein, playing in a Rugby World Cup in front of their own passionate supporters would be a massive highlight of their careers.

The three Boks spoke from the training camp in Plettenberg Bay, where they are preparing for next month’s three-Test Castle Lager Incoming Series against France.

“South Africa has a proud history of hosting successful events, and it would be fantastic for our country to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup,” said Whiteley, who will captain the Boks against France next month.

“The conditions for that time of the year, when the tournament is scheduled to take place, makes for great rugby settings. As players you would be able to play in an amazing atmosphere, in great surroundings which will be pleasing to spectators and the many visitors from different parts of the world.

“We only get to play twice a year at home in the window reserved for the Rugby World Cup and that time of year is perfect for rugby If you look at the stats, in our home Tests in September and October the last few years, against top opposition, there is an average of six tries per match. Just think of the epic clashes against the All Blacks in 2013 and 2014, or against the Wallabies in those years.”

Mohoje, who started for the Boks in their epic victory over the All Blacks at Emirates Airline Park in 2014 in front of almost 62,000 spectators, echoed these sentiments: “South Africa really is the perfect host for the Rugby World Cup. I was five years old in 1995 when we last hosted it and my lasting memories are of the wonderful crowds and the superb rugby dished up.

“I was in awe of Joost, Ruben, Francois, Chester, James, ‘Jouba’, Jonah and many others. It’s probably fair to say that I developed my love for rugby back then – I wanted to play like these guys and to think that there is a possibility of us hosting the Rugby World Cup again in 2023 is wonderful.

Serfontein was too young in 1995 but he is confident that South Africa can host a great tournament in six years’ time.

“I was fortunate to play for the Junior Boks in 2012, when we hosted the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, and playing in front of a massive crowd in the final against New Zealand is one of my best rugby memories,” said Serfontein.

“We have great venues, the passion for the game here is wonderful and we really have a superb country for visitors. Apart from the ideal playing conditions and the infrastructure, by 2023 we will have waited a long time to host the tournament again.”

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2243 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE