The SARU have been given the green light to resume their bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup a newly-appointed minister in the South African government has ruled.
Since last April a ban had been imposed on the nation’s rugby, cricket, athletics and netball governing bodies preventing them from bidding to host global events – a measure taken in response to the South African government’s drive to have more black professionals represented in sport.
Despite this the SARU went ahead with confirming their intention to bid for the 2023 World Cup to World Rugby last September, along with Ireland and France.
The decision taken by sports minister Thulas Nxesi to lift the ban opens the door for the SARU to make their final submission to World Rugby on 1 June, ahead of the winning bid announcement in November.
In a statement, Nxesi said: ‘I would like to congratulate rugby, cricket and netball on their improved scores, you were clearly willing to walk the extra mile. Their right to bid for and host major sporting events, which was revoked before, is hereby immediately reinstated.”
“But we would like to re-emphasise our expectations for sporting federations to take charge and provide leadership at school and club levels.”
Now their bid has received the stamp of approval from the government, the SARU now face the task of beating prospective first-time hosts Ireland and France having held the tournament back in 1995.
A matter dismissed by SARU president Mark Alexander last week when speaking at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting.
“Hosting the Rugby World Cup for the second time in 28 years is imperative both for our game and our country,” Alexander said.
“We offer World Rugby the chance to put on a highly profitable and unforgettable tournament in unbeatable stadiums and conditions. We have shown our hunger and passion for the tournament by bidding for the 2011, 2015 and 2019 events. We are ready.
“Rugby belongs to the people of South Africa. It is a national asset and it has the power to build our nation. We will do it by being a winning team on and off the field. We will be the leading rugby nation.”
ADAM ELLIS
rugby, Cricket, netball right to bid for and host international tournaments in the Republic is immediately reinstated, stated Min TW Nxesi
— Dep. Sport & Rec (@SPORTandREC_RSA) May 9, 2017
Full steam ahead for plan to bring Rugby World Cup back to SA – rugby met targets set out in Transformation Charter https://t.co/9EvwG76kR5 pic.twitter.com/N3CpK8eAsI
— Springboks (@Springboks) May 9, 2017
