Issued by: Office of the President
29 October 1999
Joost van der Westhuizen
Captain
Springbok Team
London
Dear Joost
I am honoured to send you and the entire Springbok team this message ahead of the semi-final game against the Wallabies.
I have been following your performance at the World Cup Tournament very closely. Whenever you take the field, you make South Africans proud of you and your country. I admire the courage and dignity with which you have carried yourselves on and off the field of play.
I observed with pride that the Springboks have never lost a game at a World Cup Tournament. I am confident this tradition will persist until 6 November 1999 when you bring the Ellis Webb trophy home.
I speak for every South African to say that your achievements at the World Cup so far, as well as your determination to do even better, captures the mood that prevails in all walks of life in our country; that every South African should strive to be a good Ambassador for the country and its people. You have done tremendously well in this regard.
The Wallabies are a good and competitive side. They deserve respect. They have been World Champion before. Keep to your game plan and uphold the tradition of the Springboks, which is to be standard bearers of World Rugby.
I am convinced you are world champions. The whole world looks up to you as such.
May I indicate that on Saturday, you shall not just be representing South Africa, but the continent of Africa as a whole.
Good luck
Bring it home!
THABO MBEKI