South Africa declares public holiday for World Cup win

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a public holiday after the country won the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris on Saturday, 

The Springboks claimed their fourth Rugby World Cup win at the weekend, defeating New Zealand by one point, 12-11.

The president said he had made the decision "in celebration of the Springboks' momentous achievement" in a nationwide address Monday.

It will take place on 15 December. 

Mr Ramaphosa said the government wanted the day to be a "a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sportsmen and women have shown us what is possible".

• Springboks bring hope to a troubled nation

The win has been hailed by the president as a sign of hope, as the country struggles with the world's highest unemployment rate at 42%, as well as other economic problems including high poverty rates and frequent blackouts.

Following the team's World Cup win in Stade de France, Mr Ramaphosa said he wanted the team's unity to become a greater feature of society.

"We need more of this, and not just in the domain of sporting achievement," he said, pointing out that the number of black players in the squad had gone up from one in 1995 to almost half of South Africa's players in the 2023 final.

At the weekend, Mr Ramaphosa also said the team showed many of the qualities he felt would be necessary to tackle South Africa's status as the most unequal country in the world.

"The patriotism we display in sports stadiums should be reflected in our approach to overcoming our challenges," he added.

South Africa's Saturday win means the team has now won half of the eight tournaments they have participated in.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Image by YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK