COPE PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES THE BOKS

I hasten to congratulate the Boks on an extremely hard fought victory. My nerves are nearly shattered and I am certain that is the case with millions of others. Many will also have bitten off their nails.

Close to the end, the try came through the sleight of hand of Duane Vermeulen who put Fourie du Preez into narrow free space. That was the turning point. It decided the match. Tears of pain that were welling up, turned into tears of joy minutes later.

The Welsh played with stout hearts and grim courage. The Boks, however, battered away relentlessly. Finally, something gave and South Africa was through to the semi-finals.

After that try we kept one eye on the clock and the other on the game. Then came the turnover and the ball was kicked into the stand. Relief was intermixed with joy.

Next Saturday is another important match for the Boks. We say to them: Go Boks, go! We will be rooting for them once again. Let them pull of a great victory and bring South Africa into the finals.

Congratulations to all who represented South Africa at Twickenham.

Issued by Mosiuoa Lekota, COPE President, 18 October 2015