The late great Desmond Tutu with Bok captain Siya Kolisi and family in 2019. Photo: Twitter
RIP: Desmond Tutu – Remembering his wholesome Bok interactions!
After learning of the tragic passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, we reflect fondly on his positive interactions with the Boks.
The late great Desmond Tutu with Bok captain Siya Kolisi and family in 2019. Photo: Twitter
Tutu, the last surviving South African laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize, has sadly passed away in Cape Town at the age of 90.
In a sporting context, he will forever be remembered as a champion for change, and his numerous positive engagements with the Springboks post-isolation.
After the successful 2019 Rugby World Cup, there were many laughs and blessings as Tutu met the Springboks on their trophy tour, calling for the country to continue building on the momentum brought about by the win.
“What this group of youngsters has achieved speaks, beyond rugby, to the possibility of what we can be,” he said at the time. “No matter where we come from, if we reach for the stars we can actually touch them.”
The Arch, as Tutu is affectionately known, felt Trevor Nyakane and Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira’s muscles and complained about the firmness of Duane Vermeulen’s handshake, according to a post on the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation’s Facebook page, while sharing a laugh with Faf de Klerk after he showed off his proudly South African speedo.
Tutu was described as being a passionate Springbok supporter and massive fan of captain Siya Kolisi and coach Rassie Erasmus
“The wave of patriotism and goodwill sweeping the country with the Rugby World Cup winning Springboks revisits the promise of the united, non-racial society Nelson Mandela and his colleagues embodied a generation ago,” a statement from Tutu’s Foundation read after the 2019 World Cup triumph.
“It creates the opportunity for all South Africans to reflect how far we have journeyed since 1994, and how far we still must travel.
“We have had similar moments of high symbolism in the past, that on reflection we have failed to harness for sustainable effect. We cannot afford to sit back and bask in our glory now; we must use the momentum to deepen our commitment to building a nation in which all citizens are of equal worth and have equal opportunities to shine.”
