The Springboks defended the Rugby World Cup in a tightly contested encounter against the All Blacks of New Zealand on a rainy Saturday (28 October 2023). Grocott’s Mali journalist adked residents of Makhanda for their reactions.
Rudzani Manafe: “The game was a very good game. Obviously we won and that’s exciting. I am proud of the guys. I think the energy and drive they showed, displayed the dedication for fighting for their country. The best player for me was Bongi Mbonambi because I think we don’t get to appreciate players who play in his position, which is Hooker and I think he put his heart more in the games he played. I felt bad that he had an injury in the first minute of the final.”
Lesego Pitsi, third-year Rhodes student: “Starting from the semi-final, I really thought Springboks were going to lose because England was leading. But the Boks managed to come back and win the game. I was very proud.”
Reamogetse Ndlovu: “Let me start by saying it was not an easy journey but the Springboks did it! Since the Springboks were winning the games with one point during the group stages, that made me doubt if they would win the final because during those last minutes when they were leading by one point, anything could happen. But they won the game. I was so nervous.”
Mlungisi Dudumayo: “Honestly I did not watch the full World Cup or all Springbok matches but I made sure I watched the final and I was so happy that Amabhokobhoko won and defended the Cup from leaving the country. To many black South Africans, this is not just a polite win because Siyamthanda Kolisi, as the first black captain of the Springboks, he managed to defend the cup and this shows to us as blacks that we are capable of doing anything and it is great history for South Africa to make.”
Asive Ntloko: “During the group stages, it was very hard for the Springboks and hopes were decreasing – we were no longer having high hopes for a win because they were winning in the last minutes with one point ahead. But since they won the final, also with one point, we saw the importance of that one point (sabona ukubaluleka komnqongo).
Ongeziwe Jantjies: ” Firstly, I am not a rugby supporter and I don’t know much about rugby but since my households were watching, I also desired to watch because I could see from watching rugby that we are starting to be united. In the group stages, I was nervous. I also remember during the second half of the final that I even took a break from watching because they game was hard, only watching the time and hoping the game would end. I was confident South Africa would win but I knew it wouldn’t be an easy match for the guys.”
