South Africa bracing for public holiday in honour of world champion Springboks

President Cyril Ramaphosa first announced the public holiday during a nationwide address on 30 October, saying he had made the decision "in celebration of the Springboks' momentous achievement".

Ramaphosa said the government wanted the day to be "a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sportsmen and women have shown us what is possible".

"The patriotism we display in sports stadiums should be reflected in our approach to overcoming our challenges," he added.

Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa took to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday to remind South Africans to show their love for the Boks on Friday.

"On Friday 15 December, declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a holiday to celebrate the Springboks' record-breaking Rugby World Cup win, I call on all South Africans to wear our national team colours and jerseys to celebrate the power of sport and the arts to unite," he said.

"Let us gather in villages and towns to celebrate what has been a momentous year for South African sport and creative arts."

The Springboks claimed their fourth Rugby World Cup in France by defeating their arch-rivals New Zealand by one point, 12-11, in the final in Paris.

READ MORE: Springbok star Damian Willemse would love to feature for Blitzboks at Olympics