South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently caught everyone’s eye – and not just for his motivational words. In a video message to the nation’s women’s cricket team, who were gearing up for their historic ODI World Cup final against India, he was seen sporting a national football jersey. This unusual wardrobe choice for a cricket event quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread discussion and amusement among viewers who wondered how such a high-profile mistake could be made.
Despite this sartorial slip-up, President Ramaphosa’s message was brimming with pride and powerful encouragement for Captain Laura Wolvaardt’s team. As they prepared to face India at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, he urged them to be fearless.
“You’ll be playing in front of nearly 40,000 passionate Indian cricket fans, and their enthusiasm is well-known,” he stated. “But don’t let their numbers intimidate you. Remember, while they have 1.3 billion supporters, you represent 62 million proud South Africans. As the saying goes, even the smallest can take on giants. Go out there tomorrow and conquer!”
The President even playfully gestured to his football shirt, remarking that South Africans were rushing out to buy them – a comment that further fueled online conversations.
This final marked a significant moment for the Proteas, as it was their very first Women’s ODI World Cup final. India, led by the formidable Harmanpreet Kaur, was also striving for their maiden title, having previously been runners-up in 2005 and 2017. Team India secured their spot by defeating Australia in a thrilling semi-final at DY Patil, while South Africa confidently overcame England Women in their semi-final match.