EP officials want 'apology tour'
REACTION: South Africa’s victory tour hit a couple of unexpected snags on Monday – including a protest and a broken-down bus
On the final leg of the Boks’ victory tour, one of the two busses carrying the players and their family broke down on the N2 between the Cape Town city bow and the township of Langa.
After a brief pause – in which the family members were transferred to another buss – the procession continued on to their final destination in this five-day trek.
This little hiccup was overshadowed by events that had its origins on Day Four, the Port Elizabeth leg.
BREAKING NEWS | #BoksTrophyTour bus breaks down #BoksTrophyTour #TrophyTour #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/idVAWan9m4
— SABC News Online (@SABCNewsOnline) November 11, 2019
On Monday morning irate residents padlocked the Eastern Province Rugby Union offices in protest of the change in schedule, which resulted in the tour not arriving in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth.
Former ANC MPL Christian Martin said he bought a padlock and personally locked the gate this morning.
“I have also parked my car in front of the gate,” the politician said.
Eastern Province Rugby Union General Manager Thando Manana later told local media that Springboks should return to Nelson Mandela Bay on an ‘apology tour’.
After Manana and federation president Andre Rademan arrived at the offices, Martin unlocked the gates.
Sharing the same frustration as the larger Port Elizabeth community, Manana said there should be a re-run of the victory tour.
“Most of my rugby clubs are from the northern areas and the Uitenhage area.
“There should be a re-run, even if it is with a third of the Springbok team, to do an apology tour.
“Many hearts have been broken,” Manana said.
Manana said this time the Boks should also give out autographs.
“We cannot sit and point fingers, we need to find solutions and give them suggestions.
“They [the organising committee] need to pay for the many young dreams that were deferred yesterday,” he said.
Sources: HeraldLIVE & SABC
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Humble apologies to the northern areas of PE today who missed out on our planned visit. Massive crowds, congestion and a waiting flight to Cape Town meant an unavoidable last minute route change. We are as disappointed as you, and we do apologise sincerely.#ChampionsTogether pic.twitter.com/2aG7cUUjZb
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 10, 2019
— ThandoManana (@TandoManana) November 10, 2019
Watching igrootman yam, @QSompondo on @SABCNewsOnline chatting to Thando Mxoli about the real side of rugby and the challenges the region faces.
Succinct summation of what’s happening in the Eastern Cape.
Cc @TandoManana @MotherwellRFC #SpringbokTour #SpringbokChampions pic.twitter.com/ZQM9C5iV35
— #SbuSpecials (@Sbu_Mjikeliso) November 10, 2019
