
The Webb Ellis Cup arrived in style in Johannesburg this morning on board Emirates flight EK 761 and was received by Chester Williams, star winger of South Africa’s team that won Rugby World Cup 1995 and Fouad Caunhye, Emirates Regional Manager for Southern Africa.
Emirates is a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, and has also taken the Trophy to New Zealand and Australia, both previous Rugby World Cup winners, and to Dubai, the airline’s hub.
“It is an honour for us to bring the Webb Ellis Cup to the country, which the Springboks first won 20 years ago in that memorable final against the All Blacks. With the next Rugby World Cup just a few months away, Emirates is ready to carry the thousands of fans to the UK to support the Springboks and cheer them to victory,” said Caunhye.
From the airport, the Webb Ellis Cup will travel to Emirates Airline Park, where it will be displayed for young rugby fans to have their pictures taken with it, while Williams along with some Emirates Lions players will host a half day clinic for up-and-coming rugby players drawn from various schools in Johannesburg.
The clinic will give the budding players a rare opportunity to get tips and pointers to hone their game skills from one of the heroes of the historic win as well as interact with Emirates Lions’ major stars.
Details of the Emirates Flag Bearer Competition will be revealed to the public during a live broadcast on SABC 2’s Morning Live on May 27.