Bok Tour snub: Frustration and unhappiness in Bloem

NEWS: There is “unhappiness and disappointment” in the Free State with the decision not to include the province in the Springboks’ World Cup trophy tour.

The Springboks kicked off their World Cup celebrations in Gauteng on Thursday before further victory parades in Durban (Friday), East London (November 9), Port Elizabeth (November 10) and Cape Town (November 11).

However, there will be no celebrations in Bloemfontein.

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💚💛What a day it has been – Thank you Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto #ChampionsTogether pic.twitter.com/3zpiKOGhBO

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 7, 2019

In a statement released on Thursday, Jerry Segwaba, the President of the Free State Rugby Union said: “Free State Rugby experienced unprecedented unhappiness and disappointment from all over the central region this week about the news that the Springbok trophy tour will not be visiting the central region of South Africa.

“Free State Rugby shares the frustration and unhappiness of supporters, specifically due to the fact that the central region has not been included in the victory tour of the Springboks.

“Free State Rugby shares the feeling with Central South-Africa that the Springboks should have included the region in the tour because of the support that the Springboks enjoy in this part of the country.

“The region produced a number of Springboks, coaches, referees and administrators over the years and specifically in this World Cup (11 persons were involved – including coaches, players, and even the referee, Jaco Peyper).

“According to SARU, the decision was based on challenges relating to Regulation 9, which means that the Springbok players must return to their contracted entities, national and abroad, by Monday and that it was difficult to fit Central South-Africa into the travel schedule.

“After discussions with SARU and after unbridled demand from rugby supporters, the general public and Government, SARU has indicated to that they will possibly send the trophy and a number of players to the Central region at a later stage.”

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