Africa-Press – South-Africa. Amid much fanfare, the Springboks departed for their World Cup defence on Saturday after a rousing and entertaining send-off at the OR Tambo International Airport.
The event, hosted a on mild Saturday afternoon in front of green-clad fans, was graced by artists like PJ Powers (who delightfully belted out a rendition of the 1995 Rugby World Cup theme song World in Union), Loyiso, Lloyd Cele and Robbie Wessels, with UFC fighter Dricus du Plessis also making an appearance.
Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa also graced the event with his presence as the Boks prepared to leave South Africa for France via the United Kingdom.
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Their two-week stay in the UK will see the Boks play against Wales in Cardiff next week Saturday and against the All Blacks in London on 25 August.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said it was a privilege for them to be the defending Rugby World Cup champions, even though they’d be pressured by the expectation to return with the title.
“The main difference between the 2019 RWC and this one, is that there is a little more expectation on us now,” Nienaber said.
“As a team, we’ve built more squad depth over the last few years, but the expectations are not a burden, it’s a privilege.
“In the last few weeks, we’ve attended a few functions and we’ve heard all the messages from our partners, dignitaries, and the public, so we realise how much support we have. We understand the expectations and we embrace it.”
Other artists who were at the well-attended event included Mgarimbe of Sister Bettina fame, Early B, Mariechan, Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, and Bernice West.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who was well cheered by the significant crowd, and also received a South African flag from Kodwa that was delivered to the minister by two police officers, said they had the right blend of youth and experience for their title defence.
“That said, we know what to expect this time and we have a lot more experience as a group,” Kolisi added.
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“Even the younger players are not entering this competition blindly because there are several experienced players around them to guide them.
All in all, we are in a better mental place this time.”
After the warm-up games, the Boks, who had a signing session with fans after the send-off, will spend a week in Corsica before moving to Toulon to prepare for their opening Pool B World Cup game against Scotland on 10 September.
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