Mzwanele Manyi goes at Cyril Ramaphosa for wearing wrong Bok jersey during final

As the rest of the country saw a glorious moment when Captain Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis trophy alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, politician Mzwanele Manyi saw an opportunity to criticise Ramaphosa’s choice of shirt.

“How does Ramaphosa explain wearing the MTN branded jersey at the disadvantage of other sponsors and blatant flouting of tournament rules. Is this another example of bad error of judgment or failure to comprehend perceived conflict with his erstwhile private interests in MTN?” averred Manyi on Twitter.

The bone of contention for Manyi was that the President’s jersey had the cellular network’s logo on the front of the Springbok jersey he wore. But on the official South African Rugby website, MTN sits as the headline sponsor of the reigning World Champions.

Manyi said the President needs to apologise to Nike and SA Rugby. “He was handed the right official T-shirt by Captain Siya Kolisi. But no, he put on the MTN branded jersey, his ‘erstwhile’ company to dwarf the official sponsor. This is wholly unethical. I am embarrassed as a South African,” Manyi said.

He was handed the right official T-shirt by Captain Siya Kolisi.
But no, he put on the MTN branded jersey, his 'erstwhile' company to dwarf the OFFICIAL SPONSOR.
This is wholly unethical.
I am embarrassed as a South African.
Ramaphosa should apologise to @Nike and @sarugby pic.twitter.com/WkXCk73czW

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— Mzwanele Manyi (@MzwaneleManyi) October 30, 2023

Sponsorship breakdown

“When we named MTN as our new headline sponsor four years ago, we realised that it represented a pivotal moment for SA Rugby and that welcoming a company of MTN’s size and reach was a significant moment for the sport,” said former SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux in 2021.

MTN is the headline sponsor of the Springboks, after extending its contract with the SA Rugby Union in 2021 by five years.

Last year, SA Rugby announced Nike as a technical apparel provider, replacing ASICS.

“Nike and SA Rugby have agreed a six-year deal – to include the 2023 and 2027 Rugby World Cups – which will see the famous Swoosh appear on the front of the Springbok jersey for the second time. Nike was the team’s apparel partner between 1996 and 2003,” read a statement from SA Rugby last year.

“We enjoyed a great relationship with ASICS and really appreciate the contribution that the company made over the past eight years,” said Roux, in a statement.

“It’s always sad to see a valued partner depart but we understand that business strategies shift over time and we wish ASICS well in its continued journey in South Africa.”

True to Manyi’s point, statements from SA Rugby never elaborated on the removal of the MTN logo from the actual kits worn by the Springboks. But the President wasn’t flouting of tournament rules by wearing the jersey he wore, since he isn’t an official player or member of the Springbok team.

According to World Rugby, “A Person may not, without the prior written consent of his Union or Association (such consent to be at the discretion of the Union or Association), receive directly or indirectly any Material Benefit for appearing in, assisting with or communicating any advertisement, endorsement or promotion of any product.”

“For the purposes of this Regulation, Person shall mean a player, trainer, referee, touch judge, coach, selector, medical officer who is involved in the Game, or in the organisation, administration or promotion of the Game.”

NOW READ: IN PICS: This is how the Springboks celebrated their victory with their wives

Reactions

Ramaphosa left South Africa for France on Friday night just before the final, where the Springboks took on New Zealand in the final of the Rugby World Cup.

We are bringing it back home. #GoBokke 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/WyNbW0rhOK

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) October 27, 2023

The Springboks edged New Zealand 12-11 in an incredible and tense Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. It was a record fourth Webb Ellis Cup for South Africa.

Netizens came hard on Manyi for attacking Ramaphosa.

MTN is the sponsor of the Springboks, and there is nothing wrong there. Just extreme hatred of the man, he has his weaknesses, but this is so unnecessary

— Ndishi (@Ndishi11) October 29, 2023

Just improve your attention to detail, you'll be fine. pic.twitter.com/9mlvJfU0rt

— Mzwanele Manyi (@MzwaneleManyi) October 29, 2023

My bra o rata ho compleina. Ai soka maan. You sound like a man without internal peace. Ke Sunday grootman…enjoy your evening in peace

— Paballo (@PaballoMaz90937) October 29, 2023

Wena man! Ramaphosa is not a player. And he doesn’t dictate which sponsors SARU should go with. MTN is the “primary” sponsor unfortunately and will always get preference over other secondary sponsors 🤷🏾‍♂️.
I think you are just posting these silly posts for likes now 🫨

— Tlou Letebele 🐘 (@binkekana) October 29, 2023

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