SARU launches Rugby World Cup anthem

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Durban - The Springboks Rugby World Cup anthem, recorded by award-winning South African musicians Freshlyground and Goldfish, was released at a media launch.

The song, 'Let's Do It Again', commissioned by the South African Rugby Union (SARU), was performed for the first time at a media launch on Tuesday.

The anthem, together with the 100 day countdown, will be launched on Wednesday. The Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 9.

SARU's campaign, called Unite 2011, will be launched to get South Africans to rally behind the defending champions.

"We hope the song becomes the soundtrack to a national mobilisation in the support of the Springboks," said SARU CEO Jurie Roux.

"It is just one part of a number of initiatives we're launching to allow fans to show their support of the team and become part of the campaign. There are now just 100 days to go until the tournament kicks off, and we believe we can recapture the spirit of national unity that marked the Springboks' previous Rugby World Cup victories in 1995 and 2007 and also last year's soccer world cup," added Roux.

Freshlyground, who collaborated with Shakira on "Waka Waka", the official anthem of the FIFA 2010 World Cup, performed the song with Goldfish for the first time at a media launch on Tuesday. The song will be released to the public in July.

The centrepiece of the campaign is Bokday - the call to supporters to wear green and gold official merchandise every Friday from this week until the end of the tournament in October, as well as on Springboks playing days, which include a Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - during the tournament.

The campaign has also targeted Facebook users. Fans are urged to show their support on the Springboks Facebook page - www.facebook.com/springboks.

Supporters can also do the following to show their support:

* Visit m.unite2011.co.za on a cellphone or www.unite2011.co.za on the web and sign up as a supporter and enter a draw to be SARU's guests at the Rugby World Cup.
* SMS your name and surname to 33512 to show their support and enter the draw.
* Sign a digital jersey at www.unite2011.co.za which will then be manufactured and delivered to the team in New Zealand - one signer will win a Springbok jersey signed by the team.
* Attend a live match screening of a Bok game at Township TV viewing sites [big screens erected in selected townships] and take part in a rugby coaching clinic.
* Watch the match at BoKTowns across South Africa during the tournament .
* Attend a public appearance by the Boks with open training sessions throughout the home International season and a farewell on the eve of departure - (details to follow at a later date).
* Buy licensed Springbok supporters clothing, produced by Canterbury, that starts with a supporters' golf shirt at R79.