They are mounted on the tables, a way of reminding us that they are on top of the world. At the final whistle of the Rugby World Cup final, which saw South Africa win against New Zealand (12-11), Saturday October 28, the 2,000 supporters gathered in the fan zone of the Pirates Club, a bar in Johannesburg, raised their glasses to the sky and rained liters of beer on the crowd like raging gods.
On their pedestal, they highlighted the gap that now separates South Africa from the competition. “It’s our fourth trophy, no one has ever had that, man, I don’t have the words”stammers Siyabonga, one of them. “Have you ever seen a team play this well in the fucking world?” », Chris asks, looking stunned. The man with blond hair, his voice almost dead, seeks to convert the lost sheep: “Springbok rugby is nothing less than a cult. It’s a cult of winning, and you have to join it! »
It took a divinity, a spirit or a genius to allow the selection to go through this competition by accumulating narrow victories and for their supporters to continue to believe in it. “It was very indecisive but we clung to the spirit of South Africa”summarizes Johnny, shouting. “After having robbed the English and thwarted the French”the Boks could no longer count “on their fairy godmother”, warned journalist Lungani Zama shortly before the final. If it is not luck, then it must be seen as a mentality. “It’s completely crazy, it shows what a good team they are, how they work together”corrects Wynand Claasen, former captain of the Springboks in the 1980s.
As if in mimicry, the South Africans gathered in the fan zone hugged each other at the final whistle. They had just suffered together for more than eighty minutes. Awkward hugs felt like scrums. “Frankly, South Africa is going through a complicated moment, we have lots of problems, but here is something that brings us together. I am very proud to be South African at the moment”enthuses Chloé, 20 years old, her forearms painted in the national colors. “It’s an accomplishment for our country, it brings us together at a time of uncertainty, at a time when we need it,” Jason confirms, drawing on his vape and staring into space.
Captain Siya Kolisi adored
South Africans are depressed by a feeling of being downgraded linked to the deterioration of infrastructure, corruption, crime or the electricity crisis… But, behind their Springboks, they no longer fear anything or anyone. The New Zealanders’ haka was only a whisper covered by the hubbub of an audience seated since the early hours of the afternoon, elbows pressed together and glasses filled with beer and brandy-cola.
The inaudible warrior cry of the All Blacks was answered with homemade chants in praise of their stadium gods. The name of Siya Kolisi, the adored captain, is taken up on the theme of Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, the song Zombie of the Cranberries adapted to the name of “Rassie” – Johan Erasmus –, the director of South African rugby. “I’m so happy, because they play for the country, we love them so much. This is such a special team”, Izalda is moved, standing on a table to see the trophy pass from hand to hand on the images on the giant screen.
Then appears President Cyril Ramaphosa, who went to Paris to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy a second time – something that Presidents Nelson Mandela in 1995 and Thabo Mbeki in 2007 were unable to do. The South Africans celebrating carefree manner have a thought for the Head of State: what if he learned a lesson from this victory?
“The South African rugby plan could be adapted to South Africa. The right people, in the right positions. A chef like Rassie is the key to success”, wants to believe Brendan Fogarty, coach for the Vusa rugby academy, near Cape Town. Because after the World Cup, its victory and its hangover, the South Africans will have to face daily life again. So a cabinet reshuffle is improvised by Chris, the man who compares rugby to a cult. It is obviously a demigod that he would appeal to. “Siya president!” Siya vice president! Siya minister of sports. »
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