Britain’s Prince Harry attends the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on 2 November 2019. Photo: AFP/Odd Andersen
Watch: Cyril Ramaphosa and Prince Harry embrace as the Springboks crush England [video]
The Springboks won the Rugby World Cup with a crushing 32-12, and the moment was only made sweeter by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prince Harry hugging it out.
Britain’s Prince Harry attends the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on 2 November 2019. Photo: AFP/Odd Andersen
Prince Harry arrived at the International Stadium in Yokohama today where he was joined by Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and other dignitaries, including President Ramaphosa, for the Rugby World Cup Final.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave their unwavering support to the boys. According to Tutu, the team had “made us all feel good about ourselves.”
Sweet victory
The Springboks won with a crushing 32-12, and the moment was only made sweeter by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prince Harry hugging it out.
Watch: Prince Harry embracing Cyril Ramaphosa
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and their five-month-old son Archie – who was wearing a mini-England onesie – watched the final on TV back home in the UK.
Also read – Why I, an Englishman, will be supporting the Springboks on Saturday
Prince Harry’s alleged allegiance
Prince Harry is patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). However, netizens seem to believe that he was rooting for the Springboks all along. A user known only as LadyZaa said:
“Prince Harry was secretly supporting us.”
Just Juliette said the embrace is the “only thing [she] will remember from this match,” and added: “Harry, you are the best”, while Leyviatu said:
“Can Prince Harry be any more humble? That hug shared between himself and the South African president def had my heart smiling. Congrats to both ENG & RSA for reaching the final. And just like that, [Rugby World Cup] now done. Massive [shout out] to Japan for being such a great host nation.”
![Cyril Ramaphosa Prince Harry RWC rugby world cup Springboks]()
Caption: “South Africa have won the 2019 Rugby World Cup, after beating England, by 32 – 12. The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was congratulated by Prince Harry. Image Credits: World Rugby / ITV Sport .” / Image via Twitter: @VWHPortsmouth 
Caption: Prince Harry congratulated President Ramaphosa.” / Image via Twitter: @MagaliDMathias
Also read – Mapimpi makes history with brilliant Rugby World Cup final try
Prince Harry warmed up for the RWC by attending a training session for the upcoming Japanese Paralympics. Some of the athletes informed him that they were rooting for South Africa.
According to the Daily Mail, he asked who they would be supporting, and most of them answered in chorus, “England!” However, one Tomoshige Kabetani said he’d be shouting for South Africa. Harry then replied:
“I’ll have a word later. You might not get selected for the Paralympics!”
Close friends
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex concluded their ten-day Royal Tour of Southern Africa last month. The couple met with President Ramaphosa and his wife, Tshepo Motsepe, before heading back to the UK.
The couples exchanged presents during a courtesy call at the Mahlamba Ndlopfu Residence, with Prince Harry and Meghan gifting the president with a stunning photo of ankole cattle called “Mankind”, taken by David Yarrow.
