Boks invited to slaughter an ox

2007-10-23 14:38

Johannesburg - The Xhosa royal house has invited the Springboks for a traditional celebration, including the slaughtering of an ox, to mark their Rugby World Cup victory.

Dispatch Online on Tuesday quoted AmaGcaleka Kingdoms spokesperson Prince Xhanti Sigcawu as saying: "The whole team needs to visit the Great Place (at Nqadu near Willowvale) to have oxen slaughtered for them in celebration."

Rugby, he said, was a popular sport in rural areas.

"We invite the team and their managers to come and celebrate the achievement with us," said the prince.

"There is nothing better for any team in the world to spend time with a royal family and celebrate."

Prince Sigcawu raised some concerns about racial representation of the country's award-winning rugby squad.

"It is almost 100% white. We also need to see people of African origin be part of the playing squad," he said.

"But the victory of this team is the victory of all in South Africa, black and white. We are proud of the achievement."

- SAPA