It seems Minster of Sport, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa wants coach and former Springboks player Rassie Erasmus to also lead the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, down a path of victory.
Bafana Bafana is notoriously known for their poor track record in the sport.
In a video shared on Instagram by the rugby website Rugby 365, the minister is heard saying, “What do you do with Rassie after this? He must help us with Bafana Bafana man! With Bafana Bafana, you need the mindset, you need the culture. Rugby’s so structured.”
Zizi then shares that when he went to the Springboks’ changing room after their match against England, he realised how he wished he could get Bafana Bafana in the same room with the four-time winning rugby team.
“The spirit, the culture, the commitment to the sport and the love of sport. Rassie for Bafana Bafana for me!”
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While some social media users thought the minister was speaking the truth, others criticised him for his comment.
One social media user wrote in the comment section, “The first minister to talk facts in a long time in this country.”
While another said, “Not cool Minister. Some things are best not uttered.”
Another person suggested a name change for the soccer team as a solution: “Rugby – Springboks, our national animal. Cricket – Proteas, our national flower. Soccer – Bafana Bafana. They need to change their name to Blue Cranes, our national bird. Then they’ll realise that they’re playing for the nation.”