Lerato Mbhiza
Sport, Arts and Culture minister Zizi Kodwa said 2023 was the best year in sports for South Africa and detailed all the achievements of the different sporting codes in a media briefing.
The year began with South Africa hosting the Cricket Women’s T20 World Cup. The Proteas Women reached the final of this tournament, their best performance in a World Cup, Kodwa said recently
“Our athletes also made the country proud at the World University in Chengdu China, where Team South Africa won 20 medals,” he said.
Kodwa added that South Africa hosted the first ever Netball World Cup to take place on South African soil.
“The SPAR Proteas finished in sixth position in this World Cup, but their performances did much to draw attention and support to the sport of netball.
“The Senior Men’s Rugby Team, the Springboks, made the country proud by bringing the Rugby World Cup title home for a record fourth time. We saw during this tournament, and in the team’s World Cup trophy tour, just how much the Springboks mean to the country, and how much this country means to the entire Springboks team. We congratulate the players and the Coaching Staff for lifting the mood of the country” he said.
He also saluted the Senior Men’s Cricket Team, the Proteas, for fighting against all odds and reaching the semi-finals of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup.
“We take our hats off to the Proteas for their strong run in this World Cup. In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the Proteas were knocked out in the first round of the tournament.
“South Africa’s women and men’s cricket teams show a great future for South African cricket”.
He also praised all national teams who participated and campaigned in the World Championships in 2023. “Thank you for flying the South African flag high! You are our heroes and heroines”.
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