Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

South Africa rugby offices burgled as World Cup trophy touched but left behind

Burglars broke into South Africa’s headquarters, touching the Springboks’ 2023 Rugby World Cup trophy but leaving the silverware behind. 

The break-in on Monday saw burglars steal whisky, signed South Africa jerseys and several laptops. 

The replica William Webb Ellis Cup was not taken however, and neither were any other trophies in the Cape Town offices. 

South Africa became the first team to win the men’s World Cup four times by beating New Zealand 12-11 in Paris last month.

The Springboks then returned to South Africa for a four-day trophy tour, to share their victory through parades across the country. 

Siya Kolisi became the second man to lift the World Cup twice with the victory in France, after also leading the Springboks to the 2019 title in Japan. 

Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for New Zealand in 2011 and 2015. 

South Africa won all three knockout matches by a single point, edging out hosts France 29-28, before dislodging England 16-15 in the semi-finals.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.