Scottish legend's rich praise for 'transformed' Boks
SPOTLIGHT: South Africa was formally welcomed to the World Cup in France at an unrivalled and extravagant ceremony at La Tour Royale in Toulon on Monday.
To the backdrop of a late setting sun over the Toulon harbour, the French Riviera and the Mediterranean coast, the defending champions were greeted with pomp and ceremony.
However, it was the speech of World Rugby Vice-Chairman John Jeffrey that captured the quintessence of Siya Kolisi’s Springboks.
He spoke of how the team transformed their country and the game, as well as praised their predecessors for winning two World Cup titles – before Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019.
The Scottish legend started off his welcoming speech by saying what an ‘honour’ it was to have the defending champions present, but the real punchline came towards the end of his delivery.
“Tonight [Monday] is important to look at the values in our game,” the 64-year-old Jeffrey said.
He added that Monday’s ceremony was all about connecting the elite game (international teams) with the communities – hence the huge public presence at the stunning and historic La Tour Royale – also known as La Grosse Tour, a fort built in the 16th century to protect the entrance of the Petit Rade, the naval port of Toulon.
Jeffrey said he was fortunate in his career and has played against most Test nations in an international career spanning from 1984 to 1991.
However, facing the Springboks is a privilege that escaped him – as his career spanned the apartheid years.
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“There were two countries that had an indelible impact on me as a child growing up – France and South Africa,” he said.
“I was fortunate to achieve most things in my career, but the only regret I have was never being able to play in South Africa or against South Africa.
“Looking at the size of these boys, it may just as well – I would hate to think what they would have done to me,” he quipped.
On a more serious note, he spoke about the ‘fantastic heritage’ of the Springboks.
He touched on the post-apartheid developments of the game in South Africa.
“I would like to congratulate you on the last 25 years,” Jeffrey said, adding: “What you have done for the sport, for a nation [South Africa] and the world.
“[You participated in] seven World Cups since 1995 and you have won three of them.
“Also, what you have done in transforming your country and through that transforming the world is fantastic.
“You deserve congratulations for what you have done.”
With a final touch of satire, he wished the Boks well with their World Cup campaign, but only after the first match – against Scotland in Marseille on Sunday.
Hugely respected with a wealth of experience as a major player in the sport’s administrative structures, the former Scottish Rugby and Six Nations Chairman was elected unopposed in May this year and will serve as Vice-Chairman for the remainder of the current term (through to November 2024).
Jeffrey, who has served on World Rugby’s Council and governance structures since 2010, is passionate about advancing the game’s on-field spectacle as well as enhancing the well-being and welfare of players at all levels of the game.
Educated at St. Mary’s School, Melrose and Merchiston Castle School, he was nicknamed “The Great White Shark” – given to him because of his very white skin.
He played in 40 Tests for Scotland between 1984 and 1991, while he played for Kelso.
Jeffrey’s “day job” was his Borders farm, of which he had only one regret: “If I stand on a hill I can see England.”
The Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, spoke of the ‘honour’ to be based in the beautiful city of Toulon and thanked the people for allowing them to ‘invade’ their charming conurbation.
(WATCH the Siya Kolisi speech at the Bok welcoming ceremony…)
He also thanked the people of Corsica for their hospitality during their week-long training camp on the Mediterranean island.
“We were here last year as well,” he said of the reasoning for making Toulon their World Cup home base.
“The welcome that we got [during the year-end tour last November] and the amazing facilities meant we had no choice but to return here,.” Kolisi said.
Then there is the heavy South African connection to the Toulon club, with three members of the current World Cup squad – Duane Vermeulen, Eben Etzebeth and the most popular, Cheslin Kolbe.
Previously Boks like Joe Van Niekerk, Bakkies Botha, Danny Rossouw, Juan Smith and Bryan Habana also featured in the colours of Le Rugby Club Toulonnais.
“We can’t wait for tomorrow [Tuesday] when our journey begins with our first training session,” Kolisi said.
He quipped that the Boks don’t mind being ‘second choice’ to France as the most popular international team in Toulon.
Kolisi also repeated his often-made statement that they are representing and playing for all the people of South Africa – from the poorest to the most privileged.
“It is a huge privilege for us to be doing what we love,” he added.
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