France apologises to South Africa

South Africa’s rugby boss accepted an apology from his French counterpart over the poor rendition of the South African anthem at last weekend’s test match in Toulouse.

South African-born singer Ras Dusimani, who lives in France and was recommended by the South African embassy, mangled the anthem “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” last Friday, angering the world champion Springboks and offending South Africans. Moreover, the South African flag was flown upside down.

Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union, asked for an explanation from the French Rugby Federation, and said in a statement on Tuesday that his FFR counterpart Pierre Camou offered unreserved apologies.

“He shares SARU’s shock at what he also describes as a ‘debacle,’ of which his union was also a victim,” Hoskins said.

He said he accepted that French rugby officials did not deliberately try to “sabotage the anthem and, as much as the performance still rankles, we regard the matter as now closed.”

France won the match 20-13.