South Africa Designates National Holiday to Commemorate World Cup Victory

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that a public holiday will be observed in celebration of the country's victory in the 2023 Rugby World Cup held in Paris. The Springboks claimed their fourth Rugby World Cup win after defeating New Zealand with a narrow one-point margin of 12-11. President Ramaphosa made the announcement during a nationwide address on Monday, stating that the decision was made to commemorate the Springboks' monumental achievement. The public holiday will take place on 15 December. The president expressed his desire for the day to be a symbol of hope, celebration, and unity, emphasizing that the Springbok team has demonstrated what can be achieved. He hailed the win as a beacon of hope for a country facing challenges such as the highest unemployment rate in the world at 42%, along with high poverty rates and frequent power outages. President Ramaphosa also highlighted the importance of the team's unity, expressing his wish for such unity to extend beyond sports and into broader society. He noted the significant increase in the number of black players in the Springbok squad compared to previous years, and urged for this progress to be mirrored in addressing the country's severe inequality. With this win, the South African rugby team has emerged victorious in half of the eight tournaments they have participated in.