Roger Federer may represent Switzerland when it comes to tennis, but the legend of that game could not hide his roots when it came to the Rugby World Cup final, tweeting his praise for the Springboks’ victory.
The Boks beat England 32-12 in Yokohama, Japan, on Saturday, pulling away in the second half thanks to two top-class tries on the wings, and Federer’s South African parentage raised its head as the final whistle blew.
The eight-time Wimbledon champion, whose mother is from Johannesburg, tweeted: “Maximum respect for all Rugby players, amazing toughness and fairness. South Africa, you did it! World Cup Champions, wow! I am incredibly happy!”
Maximum respect for all Rugby players, amazing toughness and fairness.
South Africa 🇿🇦 you did it!
World Cup Champions, wow!
I am incredibly happy! #RugbyWorldCup #Springboks— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 2, 2019
The other kind of royalty, the actual kind, also joined in as Prince Harry, on location, congratulated South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as the players, and took photos with a few shell-shocked rugger players.
Federer was not the only tennis player enthused by the result, as South Africa’s lone star on the circuit, Kevin Anderson, added his voice to the chorus: “Such a proud moment in history for @bokrugby, @siya_kolisi_the_bear and all South Africans #StrongerTogether #rwc2019”
England’s sportspeople were gracious in defeat, with former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan and former England footballer Ian Wright both commenting on the captaincy and inspirational story of Siya Kolisi, the first black player to captain the SA Test side.
Siya Kolisi watched the 2007 World Cup final from a tavern because he didn’t have a TV at home … 12 years later Siya captains his country to a World Cup title in Japan … What a story … He dreamt about his next meal not lifting the WC !!! #RWC2019final
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 2, 2019
It would have been an unbelievable feat for England to beat a South African team with a captain with such a powerful and real story. Congratulations South Africa, unity is strength ✊🏾💛💚🇿🇦 #Springboks #England #RugbyWorldCup
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) November 2, 2019
Former New Zealand All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams, who is married to a South African, kept himself in the missus’ good books by congratulating the Boks, despite the All Blacks’ disappointing (or disastrous, depending on the media coverage you follow) third place.
Congratulations to captain @Siya_Kolisi and @Springboks .What a performance. I’m sure my wife’s family back in Johannesburg & Cape Town will be loving life ❤️
Enjoy my friends 🏉🇯🇵— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) November 2, 2019
Olympic gold medalist sprinter Wayde van Niekerk, who will be hoping to run at the Olympics in Tokyo next year and claim another title for South Africa on Japanese soil, praised winger Cheslin Kolbe. The speedster’s try was a thing of magic to seal the game, and Van Niekerk was suitably impressed.
But the final word should go to the Springboks, and captain Siya Kolisi.
🇿🇦 This one is for you, South Africa#StrongerTogether #RWC2019Champions pic.twitter.com/BVFC1LkF1p
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 2, 2019