Despite a devastating loss to Australia’s Wallabies, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has insisted that South Africans remained proud of the Springboks.
The national team faced off against their rugby rivals at Ellis Park Stadium, where they were beaten 38-22.
The results have knocked SA out of World Rugby’s number one ranking and into third place behind New Zealand and Ireland.
GAYTON PRAISES SPRINGBOKS
On his X account, Gayton McKenzie heaped praise on the Springboks, who were no doubt licking their wounds after their loss to the Wallabies.
The minister posted, “We are still proud of you guys. A stumble on the road is part of all journeys. Let’s get them next week, Go Bokke.”
The Springboks will face off against the Wallabies next weekend on Saturday, 23 August at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.
Gayton McKenzie has previously hailed the Boks, as well as coach Rassie Erasmus,
He tweeted last year: “The best sporting moment since becoming minister was addressing the Springboks after the win against the All Blacks. Rassie and his boys did so much for social cohesion and national pride for South Africa”.
“ We owe them an incredible debt of gratitude. The greatest rugby team ever”.
‘WE LET OURSELVES DOWN’
Meanwhile, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has expressed his disappointment at their loss to the Wallabies.
He said in a post-match interview: “We let ourselves down today. They definitely won the breakdown battle …we have to take that on the chin. It’s unacceptable the way we performed. To start like that and to take your foot off the pedal – it’s just unacceptable from us.”
Congratulating the Australian team, he added: “They played really well, they kept on fighting, they never gave up even though they went behind, so well done to them. We’re not proud of the performance we did today.”
Siya Kolisi ended off by encouraging South Africans to keep their faith in the Springboks ahead of next week’s clash.
“We’re going to lift ourselves up and go next week and fight. There’s not much else we can do”, he said.
DO YOU THINK THE SPRINGBOKS HAD AN OFF GAME OR IS THERE MORE TO IT?
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