No Ras at Italy match

By Jacques Van Der Westhuyzen
Udine

Following the fiasco of Ras Dumisani's butchering of South Africa's national anthem in Toulouse, the management of the Springboks are leaving nothing to chance for Saturday's match against Italy here at the Stadio Friuli.

The Boks' public relations manager, Annelee Murray, has been in regular contact with the South African Embassy in Italy as well as the Italy Rugby Federation.

Murray said on Thursday a decision had been taken that no one will sing Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika before the kickoff tomorrow.

"We've decided it best to have a recorded version of the anthem play in the background, but there will be a band on the field, and possibly even a choir, for the Italian anthem. If they do sing our national anthem, it will be with the recorded version," said Murray.

The Boks have been a major hit here in this quaint northern Italian town, with Bryan Habana being the biggest drawcard. Up to 1 000 people turned up at Thursday's training session at the local club ground and there were even some South Africans, who now live in the area, in attendance.

Habana was also mobbed at the team announcement press conference, and had to do interviews with several radio and television stations.

All 37 000 tickets for the match have been sold out.

• This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on November 20, 2009