Cape Town – Herbert Mensah, the newly elected President of Rugby Africa, (www.RugbyAfrique.com) has joined South Africans in celebrating the Springbok 16-15 victory over England in the Rugby World Cup semi-final on Saturday night.
South Africa scored a victory that seemed unlikely until the last 10 minutes when the boot of Handre Pollard saved the day.
Mensah was so impressed with the Bok victory that he sent a “message of congratulations” to Mark Alexander, President of the South Africa Rugby Union.
The president of the continental governing body of rugby across Africa wrote:
Dearest Mark, My Brother
Congratulations to YOU, Mark. Congratulations to the Springboks. In a tournament that began back in September, dedication and unity of the Springboks have been nothing short of extraordinary.
The path you’ve walked is not a sprint but a steady and relentless race. YOU have faced the world’s best with unparalleled speed, tenacity and power.
The Springboks move as one, whether on the field with seven, fifteen or twenty-three players, or behind the scenes with the dedicated staff and medics.
Your achievements have not only left us in awe but have ignited a curiosity to the power of the Springboks.
The greatest moments of rugby history have featured the Springboks, and now YOU have reached the final. Our pride in YOU knows no bounds.
From the very beginning to the end, it is the enduring spirit of positivity that will see us through. Mark, YOU and your team have embodied that spirit.
In all our languages, with all our spirits and power, we say congratulations to YOU and wish YOU the very best of luck in the final.
Go Springboks, go!
By beating England – only by one point – was enough for South Africa to book their place in Saturday’s final against New Zealand.
A week earlier, the defending World Cup champions, South Africa, similarly broke French hearts.
