Rassie Erasmus (L), head coach of South Africa, South Africa’s Springboks rugby captain Siya Kolisi (R) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (C), hold the Web Ellis Trophy at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on November 7, 2019. – The visit by the national team signifies the start of the Rugby World Champion’ National Trophy Tour that will see the Cup being paraded in Johannesburg, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
WATCH: Cyril Ramaphosa calls Springboks boss ahead of quarter-final showdown
President Cyril Ramaphosa is so amped for the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France, that he took time out of his schedule to phone the coach in Paris.
Rassie Erasmus (L), head coach of South Africa, South Africa’s Springboks rugby captain Siya Kolisi (R) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (C), hold the Web Ellis Trophy at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on November 7, 2019. – The visit by the national team signifies the start of the Rugby World Champion’ National Trophy Tour that will see the Cup being paraded in Johannesburg, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
It’s do or die for the Springboks when they take on France in a last eight playoff showdown in the Rugby World Cup at the Stade de France in Paris and the president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is amped for the contest that he personally contact the team.
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This Sunday’s game against a the world’s number two ranked Test side and the host nation is expected to be a tense and hard-fought affair. Kick off is at 21:00 (SA time).
Ramaphosa’s telephonic chat with head coach Jacques Nienaber was caught on video and the president later shared the clip of their conversion on his social media platforms.
What the verbal exchange below to hear what words of wisdom and encouragement president Cyril Ramaphosa had for Nienaber and the Springboks ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final against France.
VIDEO: PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA CALLS THE SPRINGBOKS
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CHECK OUT THE SPRINGBOKS’ RESULTS AND FIXTURES BELOW:
Sunday, 10 September – Springboks beat Scotland 18-3 (Stade Velodrome, Marseille).
Sunday, 17 September – Springboks beat Romania 76-0 (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux).
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks lost 13-8 to Ireland (Stade de France, Paris).
Sunday, 1 October – Boks beat Tonga 49-18 (Stade Velodrome, Marseille).
Sunday, 15 October – Springboks v France Stade de France, Paris). Kick-off time: 21:00
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final
You can also check out all the World Cup results, fixtures and kick-off times here, with South Africa and France notably in the same time zone.
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TEAMS
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.
France – 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Aldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Antonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille.
Subs: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Yoram Moefana.
