President Cyril Ramaphosa Jets Off to Support South Africa in Rugby World Cup Final in France

• President Cyril Ramaphosa has boarded a plane for France for the Rugby World Cup final
• South Africa will take on New Zealand in the final of the tournament for the Webb Ellis Cup
• Fans are not happy with the heavy ANC presence in France, believing it's bad luck for the Boks

Rugby fever is reaching an all-time high in South Africa ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

The Springboks are looking to lift the Webb Ellis Cup again, and so is President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa was in Japan four years ago when the Boks beat England and will be in France to watch them take on New Zealand.

The Presidency took to their account on X (formerly Twitter) to share a video of Ramaphosa boarding a plane to France.

Ramaphosa isn’t the only member of parliament who will be at the final.

South Africa wasteful in front of goal but few fans present to witness drab draw

Football

Minister of Arts, Sport and Culture Zizi Kodwa is already in France to support the Springboks and has visited them during their training sessions.

How South Africans reacted

The presence of the President and the Minister has drawn mixed reactions from citizens.

While some want Ramaphosa to bring the trophy back home, others believe it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Here are some of the reactions on social media to Ramaphosa’s trip:

@Fransherbst:

“Please stay in France. Don’t come back to Mzanzi.😂😂”

@pumpkinangel09:

“Wowwwwww, look at the President running up the stairs like he's fetching the Webb Ellis Trophy for our beautiful country.”

@EbrahimLaher4:

“Another waste of taxpayers money which could be spent on the poor.”

@soso_spayi:

“He should’ve booked a flight like everyone, which budget does this fall under? Flights for sporting events? 🤔”

@LiraSab:

“Bon Voyage President ! Please bring the trophy back home.”

Nigeria's Israel Adesanya to step away from UFC following defeat to Sean Strickland

UFC

Fans weren’t as kind to Zizi Kodwa:

@AkanimiltonM:

“ANC and its people must stay away from the springbok😏.”

@CraigWeidem1:

“What a juxtaposition. The best thing about South Africa and the worst thing about South Africa in one picture.”

@WouterSePa:

“As a taxpayer, I feel this is an abuse of public funds.”

Springboks back to first in the world

South Africa are back on top of the rankings.

The reigning world champions have returned to the top of the world rankings after their run in the current Rugby World Cup.

With their win over France in the quarter-final, the South Africans have jumped up two places in the rankings, from third to first, Sports Brief reported.