The Springboks’ 2025 Test season has finally arrived, and with it comes the customary interest around who will have the honour of singing the national anthem prior to the highly-anticipated international fixtures.
This Saturday will see the Springboks kick off their 2025 Test campaign against Italy at a packed out Loftus, and The South African has learned that the national anthem this weekend will be sung by Bernice West.
The Afrikaans singer-songwriter from Swartruggens, North West Province, released her first single in 2020, having rose to fame as the runner-up of the TV music reality series ‘Maak My Famous’ on kykNET.
She also participated in the Bohemian Rhapsody music video by Hoërskool Rustenburg choir, and the talented 24-year-old – who has released three albums in the last five years – has now been entrusted with the role of singing the SA anthem this Saturday.
You can listen to some of her music here
Who will sing the Italy national anthem before the Springbok clash?
Sinesipho Mnyango, a passionate and talented lyrical soprano, will take on the duties of singing the Italy anthem.
Hailing from King Williams Town, she developed a love for music at an early age and studied at the SA College of Music at UCT, and recently obtained an Advanced Performers Diploma in Music – specialising in opera – from the University of Cape Town.
Mnyango has participated in numerous local productions, and performed abroad in Argentina and Switzerland.
This Saturday’s Test between the Springboks and Italy will kick off at 17:10, with Loftus stadium expected to be close to capacity.
How excited are you for the start of the Bok Test season?
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