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Pretoria - Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula came out firing in support of the Springboks for their upcoming title defence at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September.
Mbalula was speaking at a the unveiling of a number of sports initiatives in Pretoria on Friday and gave his unwavering support to the Boks who are currently fighting an uphill battle for the Tri-Nations title on the Australasian leg of the competition.
The minister said the country should not be apologetic about the national team’s current form in the Tri-Nations as the World Cup-title was the ultimate prize they should keep in sight.
"Our task is to win the war, the Tri-Nations is the battle and we can lose against the Wallabies and New Zealand but we must not lose the war at the World Cup," said Mbalula.
He also said traditional rugby fans should not be racist in their criticism of Bok coach Peter de Villiers as the team would do better when they contest for the World Cup title.
"Where were they back then, when they won the title? They are a formidable force and South Africa should support the team, win or lose we are green," he said.
"Wear that jersey every Friday and we want to express to John Smit that they have the unwavering, unshaken support and that they must play and make us proud."
Mbalula said the Sprinboks had done so much for the country and pleaded with all South African to show patience with the side.
He said the country would go with the team to the international showpiece to support them with the knowledge that the team would do South Africa proud.
Mbalula said the team was different than the likes of the cricket and soccer teams as they were going into a world cup as champions.
At the same event at Freedom Park in Pretoria the minister launched the Ekhaya initiative a ‘Home Away from Home’ hospitality village concept which government will stage at sports events.
He said the country should also get behind the South African contingent at the All Africa Games in Mozambique in September.
Ekhaya is a platform owned by the Department of Sports and Recreation SA, mainly to offer hospitality services to South African sports people and their families and would aim to position South Africa as a desirable destination for business investment and tourism.
The minister also unveiled that the country would launch a school sports programme which would lead to next year’s inaugural South African university and schools Olympic Games.
He said the his department would establish a high performance programme as part of the National Sports and Recreation Plan aimed at broadening the base of participation in sport in the country.
South African Rugby Union (Saru) president Oregan Hoskins who attended the launch said he was encouraged by the support to the Boks’ cause at the upcoming World Cup.
SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) executive officer Tubby Reddy said they hoped the South African public would come out in full support of the team that will be representing the country in September.
