Free State Rugby have expressed their disappointment with the decision to not include the province in the Springboks’ World Cup victory parade.
The Springboks completed the first leg of their World Cup victory parade in Gauteng yesterday. The team has flown to Durban, where they will be touring today before they move to the Eastern Cape on Saturday and Sunday and finish in Cape Town next Monday.
However, the Boks will not be holding a parade through the Free State, a decision that has frustrated the rugby union.
According to a statement made by Free State Rugby president Jerry Segwaba, SA Rugby made the decision on the fact the Springboks had to return to their teams, both local and abroad, by Monday, meaning that there just was not enough time to include the central province in the schedule.
“Free State Rugby experienced unprecedented unhappiness and disappointment from all over the central region this week about the news that the Springbok trophy tour will not be visiting the central region of South Africa,” the statement read.
“Free State Rugby shares the frustration and unhappiness of supporters, specifically due to the fact that the central region has not been included in the victory tour of the Springboks,” it said.
“Free State Rugby shares the feeling with Central South-Africa that the Springboks should have included the region in the tour because of the support that the Springboks enjoy in this part of the country.
“The region produced a number of Springboks, coaches, referees, and administrators over the years and specifically in this World Cup (11 persons were involved – including coaches, players, and even the referee, Jaco Peyper),” added Segwaba.
According to the South African Rugby Union (SARU), the decision was based on challenges relating to Regulation 9, which states that the Springbok players must return to their contracted entities, national and abroad, by Monday and that it was difficult to fit Central South-Africa into the travel schedule.
“After discussions with SARU and after unbridled demand from rugby supporters, the general public and government, SARU has indicated that they will possibly send the trophy and a number of players to the Central region at a later stage,” noted Segwaba.
Free Staters have been steadfast in various plights for the Boks trophy celebration tour to make its way to Bloemfontein and over 12 600 people have signed a petition launched by OFM’s The Big Breakfast.
