Gqeberha Omitted from Springboks' 2023 Victory Tour: A Deep-Dive into SA Rugby's Explanation

The atmosphere tinged with disappointment was thick in Gqeberha when the faithful patrons of Springboks rugby gathered to digest the disheartening news. The hometown of Siya Kolisi, the unwavering captain of the South African national team clinching the 2023 Rugby World Cup, was overlooked in the grand vision of the four-day victory tour.

SA Rugby's decision seems puzzling given Gqeberha's contribution to the team's success. Apart from fostering the growth of Siya Kolisi, it is also home to Assistant Coach Mzwandile Stick and former award-winning Coach Rassie Erasmus.

In light of such a decision, SA Rugby released a statement via its President, Mark Alexander. Alexander wholeheartedly expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the South African rugby community. However, the crux of the message centred around the rationale for the Springboks' victory tour route planning.

He pointed out that the tour was strategically designed to touch as many fans as possible, especially those in the five major population centres of South Africa: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Soweto, and Pretoria. The idea, Alexander shared, was to provide the maximum possibility for fans to be part of the team's celebration.

Aspects of the tour's planning also took into account the significant role Eastern Cape plays in black rugby's past, development, and future, inspiring a stop at Buffalo City on a non-working day. Moreover, a tantalising hint about a 'significant Springbok event' slated for Nelson Mandela Bay in 2024 gave further justification for its preference over Gqeberha.

Despite Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber's appeal to SA Rugby to reconsider Gqeberha's inclusion, the Springboks' victory tour is confirmed to commence on November 2nd in Johannesburg, Soweto, and Pretoria. Fans keen on detailed tour information can look forward to updates on SA Rugby's digital channels.