Jerome Kaino (Gallo)
All Blacks legends back South Africa’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup
The prospect of South Africa hosting another World Cup is not only exciting to South Africans alone.
Jerome Kaino (Gallo)
South Africa’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup has received backing from a few gents who, in their playing days, were the Springboks’ fiercest rivals. Alongside current All Black Jerome Kaino, Kiwi legends believe the country is the sensible choice to host the sport’s premier showpiece in 2023.
Former All Blacks winger, Jeff Wilson recalled playing in the World Cup in 1995, the last time it was held in South Africa, and said the experience was special.
“It’s great for South Africa – 1995 was an outstanding tournament, the first as we were going into professional rugby, and as a player at that it was something special.” He was quoted on Stuff.co.nz.
“They’re a passionate rugby country, they’ve got the stadiums on the back of the football World Cup, so they’re going to be played in the right places. For a country that needs a boost in some shape or form of rugby this is ideal for them.”
Ian Foster, winner of the inaugural Rugby World Cup and current All Blacks assistant coach said handing SA the rights to host the tournament makes a lot of sense.
“In a lot of ways it seems common sense from our side of it.” – he said.
“They’re a massive historical part of the world rugby scene and have only had one World Cup, so from that side it’s great. And maybe they can get rid of some of those old stadiums and move to some of their new ones.”
All Blacks loose forward Kaino also threw in his bit, saying the benefits from hosting would go beyond just rugby.
“It’s a great place to tour and I’m sure they’re more than capable of holding a successful World Cup. It will be great for their country as well.” – he added.
This was in response to the announcement made on Tuesday by World Rugby that South Africa were Rugby World Cup Limited’s board’s preferred choice to host the tournament. The recommendation is subject to a vote by the World Rugby Council, which will take part in London on 15 November 2017.
Also read: Springboks to open 2019 Rugby World Cup against the All Blacks
