South Africa public holiday: Presidency update after Springbok win

The Springbok team, the pride of South Africa, are World Cup champions once again after a thrilling final against the All Blacks on Saturday night.

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In the midst of the celebrations, South Africans have been quick to question whether President Cyril Ramaphosa might be true to his word and grant a public holiday, having previously – perhaps jokingly – suggested he would consider it if the Springboks won.

Ramaphosa made the reference to a possible public holiday while speaking at the second green hydrogen summit in Cape Town two weeks ago, which came in the wake of South Africa’s quarter-final victory over France. 

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What’s the latest update from the presidency after the Springbok side did their part?

The Presidency said on Sunday that South Africans should treat Monday as a normal working day, but it is worth noting that Ramaphosa is set to address the country at 20:00 on Monday. 

“In the absence of any official announcement, people should proceed as normal,” Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya is reported to have stated in the latest update.

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What was previously said?

Ramaphosa had made it clear he would consider a public holiday down the line.

“South Africans are revelling in this incredible success that our boys have achieved in Paris. Many of them [South Africans] felt that we should declare [Monday] as a public holiday, and I declined, and I said we would only consider that when they [the Springboks] win the final, which I will be personally present [for],” he had stated earlier this month.

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