The announcement was made during the Bastia stopover of the Trophy Tour. This is great news for all rugby fans in Corsica, and great recognition for the discipline on the island.
“The world champion team, South Africa, will stop in Corsica before its official entry into the competition. They will spend five days on the island, to prepare to defend their title in front of the whole world”.
It was Claude Atcher, the director in charge of the organization of the organizing company of the next World Cup, who announced the good news.
The announcement had been carefully kept secret until the press conference which was held this morning in Bastia, the first stage of the Trophy Tour, which will take the trophy through 59 cities in France. And who officially launches the festivities, one year before the next Rugby World Cup, which will be held in France in September 2023.
We are talking regarding the Springboks, one of the biggest rugby teams in the world. Their arrival in Corsica is a real event for island fans of the oval ball.
Jean-Simon Savelli, who worked for more than a year with national authorities to make this possible, did not hide his satisfaction: “It’s a great source of pride. The arrival of such a team is unique, and it’s wonderful for Corsican rugby”.
The president of the Corsican league wants to see it as a boost for the practice of the discipline on the island: “It will allow young graduates to flourish even more, and then it will make them want to encourage their friends and girlfriends to come and try rugby”.
But the probable increase in the number of employees will not be the only benefit of the arrival of South Africans. “All this is part of a very important program, at the national level, which will concern the construction and renovation of infrastructures. A program of an amount of 15 million euros, from which Corsica will also benefit. We will also perpetuate the 800 jobs for our apprentices, who are now working in the clubs. After the World Cup, they will stay, to help the clubs develop. All this will have a real positive impact. And in Corsica, this represents 20 jobs”, says Claude Atcher.
For Gilles Simeoni, the president of the executive, who had made the trip, “It’s a wonderful opportunity, an exceptional showcase for Corsica. This leading sporting and economic event will allow Corsica to showcase its assets”.
