President Cyril Ramaphosa was in high spirits and caught on camera dancing at the final match of the 2023 Netball World Cup, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Sunday, 6 August 2023.
Australia deliver great upset to England as victors of 2023 Netball World Cup
The tournament marked a historic moment as it was the first time an African country hosted the prestigious event, welcoming players and supporters from around the world.
As the host nation, President Ramaphosa expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to welcome guests to South Africa for the tournament. He encouraged visitors to explore the country and enjoy the many remarkable experiences it has to offer beyond the sporting event.
“As the host nation, we have been honoured to welcome players and supporters from all over the globe and we look forward to an exciting final and the successful conclusion of the tournament. Of course we encourage our guests to extend their stay and be inspired in new ways by the many amazing experiences South Africa has to offer,” Ramaphosa said.
In the final match, England’s dreams of securing their first Netball World Cup title were dashed as Australia emerged victorious with a 61-45 win in Cape Town.
Australia’s dominant performance earned them their 12th world title. Meanwhile, the South African team, Spar Proteas, finished in sixth place after their defeat to Uganda.
Jess Thirlby, the coach of England’s team, praised her players’ efforts and acknowledged the slight margin that separated them from the world-class performance of the Australian team. Despite the loss, Thirlby recognised the progress and competitiveness of her squad, having made it to the finals.
“You’ve seen that we’re able to beat these teams but I think it’s maybe one game too far to be able to reproduce the form that it took to be able to get to the starting line of the World Cup final,” Thirlby reflected.
Watch: Ramaphosa steals the show with his two left feet
While the tournament’s on-court action captivated the audience, President Ramaphosa’s dance moves stole the spotlight.
A video taken by Presidency spokesperson Athi Geleba captured the President’s joyful and lively dance during the event.
His enthusiastic demeanour and celebration added an element of cheerfulness to the occasion.
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Watch Ramaphosa’s remarks at the 2023 Netball World Cup closing ceremony below: