On November 12, Rugby Afrique welcomed the three Irish, French and South African delegations before proceeding to an internal vote by secret ballot for the award of the 2023 Rugby World Cup

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, 18 November 2017 / APO Group / - 

Following the vote of the World Rugby Council ( www.WorldRugby.org ) on Wednesday, November 15 in London, France won 24 votes to 15 against South Africa in the second round of voting for the award of the Rugby World Cup 2023.

"I would like to congratulate the three candidate countries Ireland, France and South Africa for their candidacy, I know the work and the commitment that this represents and this must be welcomed," he said. the President of Rugby Africa ( www.RugbyAfrique.com ), Abdelaziz Bougja. 

"As President of Rugby Africa since 2002, I have always supported the applications of the South African Rugby Federation and have no doubt about the federation's ability to host an event that meets all international standards. The recommendations issued in World Rugby's evaluation report put South Africa in pole position and African rugby would have obviously benefited from the hosting of the 2023 World Cup on African soil, "he said. the President of Rugby Africa.

I would like to congratulate the three candidate countries Ireland, France and South Africa for their applications

Abdelaziz Bougja regrets, however, the fact of never having been consulted by the South African rugby federation, yet a member of Rugby Africa (the African rugby confederation), during the constitution of the application file.

"The South African rugby federation is a kind of African rugby sponsor and has been playing Rugby Africa for many years, both at the administrative and sports level. We are of course grateful and for my part, I always answered when my intervention could lend a hand to South African rugby. This was the case for the first time in 1992 for the integration of the Federation into the African Confederation in Casablanca and the Kimberley Conference which put an end to apartheid in South African rugby. However, we would have liked to be involved in the nomination process and work hand in hand to ensure that the international event spread beyond South Africa's borders. "

Let us not forget, however, that North, West and Central Africa remain predominantly French-speaking, and as such, the cultural and historical links between this part of the continent and France remain strong. The French Rugby Federation is thus another sponsor of African rugby. Moreover, the French and South African federations both signed a partnership agreement with Rugby Africa at the General Assembly of the Continental Association in December 2014 in Marcoussis, France.

"As a World Rugby board member who has participated in several World Cup votes, I can assure you that the winning process was particularly clear and transparent. It was based on the technical evaluation followed by a two-round secret ballot. Respecting the principle of confidentiality of the vote commands Rugby Africa not to respond to rumors, " said President Bougja.

Rugby Africa hosted on Sunday 12 November the three Irish, French and South African delegations to allow each to present their candidacy and to answer the questions of the nine elected members of the executive committee of the regional association. Executive members of Rugby Africa then proceeded to a secret ballot and the President was given the mandate to vote on behalf of Rugby Africa in favor of the country with the highest number of votes.

Abdelaziz Bougja shares the disappointment of the South Africans and also congratulates the French for their victory (24 votes against 15 for South Africa): "Of course, we expect a high quality competition in France in 2023 and in As a historical partner of Rugby Africa, France, country in which many African players evolve, will hopefully play its role of godfather and use the event to support even better lovers of oval ball in Africa, which are more and more numerous. "

Distributed by APO for Rugby Africa.