Roger Federer, Ian Wright and Percy Tau's Belgian club hail the Boks
Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Global sports stars such as tennis great Roger Federer and Arsenal and England footballing legend Ian Wright added their weighty voices to those congratulating the Springboks for their 2019 Rugby World Cup victory on Saturday.
Tributes to South African’s national rugby team heroes have poured in from around the world after their magnificent 32 -12 win against England in final at International Stadium Yokohama.
Swiss great Federer – who has ties to South Africa as his mother, Lynette Federer, was born in this country – posted on Twitter: “Maximum respect for all rugby players, amazing toughness and fairness.
“South Africa you did it! World Cup Champions, wow! I am incredibly happy."
Even the Belgian club of Bafana Bafana striker Percy Tau, Club Brugge KV, got in on the act.
Maximum respect for all Rugby players, amazing toughness and fairness.
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 2, 2019
South Africa ?? you did it!
World Cup Champions, wow!
I am incredibly happy! #RugbyWorldCup #Springboks
Brugge Tweeted, with a picture of Tau: “When you hear the @Springboks are World Champions #rugby for a third time!”
When you hear the @Springboks ?? are World Champions #rugby for a third time! pic.twitter.com/o5JtCKK4h5
— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) November 2, 2019
Former Crystal Palace and Arsenal striker Wright said it was impossible for England to beat a determined and united Springboks.
It would have been an unbelievable feat for England to beat a South African team with a captain with such a powerful and real story,” Wright said, referring to Siya Kolisi, the first black African to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.
He continued: “Congratulations South Africa, unity is strength.”
It would have been an unbelievable feat for England to beat a South African team with a captain with such a powerful and real story. Congratulations South Africa, unity is strength ✊????? #Springboks #England #RugbyWorldCup
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) November 2, 2019
The tributes to the Springboks came from varied sources. Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi tweeted: “Only time a pimpi [Bok winger and try-scorer Makazole Mapimpi] is needed for our struggle for a truly non racial South Africa, it’s Mapimpi. Well done Die Bokke! What a team effort!”
Only time a pimpi is needed for our struggle for a truly non racial South Africa, it’s Mapimpi ?? Well done Die Bokke! What a team effort! #StrongerTogether #Springboks pic.twitter.com/2Qyug65cSV
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) November 2, 2019
Further afield, the Uganda Rugby Union tweeted: “When #Africa wins, we all win. Congratulations @Springboks. Back here in #Uganda, we are so proud of you.”
When #Africa wins, we all win. Congratulations @Springboks. Back here in #Uganda, we are so proud of you. ?? #AfricaUnited#StrongerTogether #StrongerAsOne #SouthAfrica #Springboks #kolisi #RWC2019 #RWCFinal2019
— Uganda Rugby Union ?? (@Uganda_Rugby) November 2, 2019
?: @BwahaDenise pic.twitter.com/XTIBH8z76D