South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared an extra holiday on Monday to celebrate the fourth Rugby World Cup title on Friday, December 15.
“In celebration of the important achievement of the Springboks and all our other sportsmen, I declare Friday, December 15th a public holiday,” said Ramaphosa in an address to the nation, quoted by Africanews.
The South African team won against New Zealand, 12 to 11, in France, where the competition took place.
The “Boks” emerged as a rare symbol of unity in a post-apartheid context, having been the subject of Hollywood with the film “Invictus”, starring Morgan Freeman, in the role of Nelson Mandela.