Cricket South Africa has congratulated the South African Rugby Union, the Springboks and all the players and team support staff on their magnificent achievement in winning the Rugby World Cup for the third time, equalling the All Blacks.

The Springboks beat England 32-12 in Saturday’s final in Yokohama, adding to to titles collected in 1995 and 2007.

‘This is a victory that has a significance that goes far beyond the winning of a rugby match,’ said CSA chief executive officer Thabang Moroe.

‘In the words of our beloved founding president, Nelson Mandela, “sport has the ability to inspire and unite people in a way that little else does. It has the power to overcome old divisions and create the bond of common inspirations”.

‘This is truly a moment for our nation to enjoy and make us all strive harder to make our country a better place.

‘Our sincerest congratulations go to captain Siya Kolisi, head coach Rassie Erasmus and all involved in making this a truly memorable day for South Africa and all its people,’ concluded Moroe.

Also see: Congratulations stream in from Boks’ rivals

The fixture was Erasmus’ last as head coach. He will continue as director of rugby, though.

‘We had a lot of small targets where we tried to simulate matches, as there was only 18 Test matches before the World Cup,’ Erasmus said after the World Cup final. ‘Playing against the All Blacks in Wellington was like a quarter-final.

‘We lost to Australia and Argentina, and if we didn’t win in Wellington I would have resigned. I have never lost three games in a row as a coach and if I did that I don’t deserve to be a Springbok coach. We played New Zealand in Wellington and that was important, as if we lost it I wouldn’t be here.’

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