Piers Morgan shows love to Mzansi
Despite criticising President Cyril Ramaphosa in the past, Piers Morgan became a self-appointed South African as he cheered the Proteas on to win the World Test Championship on Saturday, 14 June.
The national cricket team – led by captain Temba Bavuma – defeated Australia by five wickets in the final at Lord's in London.
Ahead of the WTC, Avid cricket fan Piers Morgan surprised his X followers with a post that read: 'For the next 2 hours, I am South African. #Lords'
The UK media personality added a South African flag emoji to his X post.
After Mzansi's historic victory, Piers added: 'Brilliant win by South Africa… what a great Test match.
Piers Morgan also praised Australia for being 'gracious losers.'
Apart from the Proteas, Piers Morgan has previously congratulated the Springboks on their back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins in 2019 and 2023.
When retired Bok Schalk Burger reminded him that South Africans were champions in both cricket and rugby, Piers jokingly responded: 'My liver can't handle the extra drinking that would entail.
Whilst Piers Morgan has often praised South Africa's sporting abilities, he's also been quick to voice his opinions about politics.
Last year, the outspoken journalist questioned why Cricket South Africa had removed U19 player David Teeger as captain for the World Cup. The move was in relation to the Jewish player's comments relating to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
He posted on X: 'He tweeted: 'WTF!? Have they sacked him because he's Jewish? This is shameful moral cowardice'.
Earlier this month, Piers Morgan also condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa's defence of the struggle song Kill The Boer and Julius Malema's decision to controversially sing it.
Piers posted on X: 'Oh come off it, Mr President . It's literally a threat, and incitement, to kill'.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Temba Bavuma out of Zimbabwe tour, Keshav Maharaj to captain Proteas
Proteas Men's Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain. Bavuma sustained the injury while batting during South Africa's second innings on day three of the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground. He is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury. The 35-year-old batted through the injury in the final in a move that helped steer the Proteas to a five-wicket victory over Australia, securing the country's first ICC trophy in 27 years. No replacement has been named for Bavuma, and in his absence, Keshav Maharaj will captain the side for the first time in Tests. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, having also played a key role in the Test Championship final last week, where he took three wickets in the second innings, including that of Steve Smith, is only available for selection for the second Test of the tour. With the two senior players not available for selection in the first Test, it means that South Africa's uncapped players, including Lesego Senokwane, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Codi Yusuf and Prenelan Subrayen, could get their maiden baggy greens at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Capped batters, Matthew Breetzke and Zubayr Hamza, are also in with a good chance to have yet another crack in Test cricket, having last played Test cricket last year. Tony de Zorzi, who did not play in the New Year's Test match against Pakistan earlier this year and the Test Championship final at Lord's last week, will have a crucial opportunity to play against Zimbabwe and challenge for the opening spot when the full-strength team returns to action later this year. The two Test matches do not fall within the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle but will play a key role in giving the fringe players an important exposure to Test cricket and thus widen the talent pool for the Test team. The squad will depart for Bulawayo on Tuesday, 24 June, from OR Tambo International Airport. The first Test gets underway on Saturday, 28 June, followed by the second Test from Sunday, 06 July, with both matches taking place at Queens Sports Club. South Africa Test Squad against Zimbabwe Keshav Maharaj (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne and Codi Yusuf.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
How Rassie Erasmus plans to blend experience and youth for Springboks for 2027 Rugby World Cup
Leighton Koopman | Published 6 hours ago Should his plans fall in place, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus wants to use at least seven of the 14 rugby matches this year to keep his older guard fit and ready to continue playing at the highest level. With the other seven, he will be able to give the younger players more experience at the highest level ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, helping them achieve a target of at least 14 or 15 Test caps ahead of the tournament. The Boks are set to play 13 Tests this year, and will start the season with a friendly match against the Barbarians, next Saturday in Cape Town. An additional Test for later this year must still be confirmed by SA Rugby. Erasmus has said keeping his experienced guys fit and getting caps into the next generation as the goals for the next two seasons. He believes this approach will prepare them well for their title defence in Australia . However, he acknowledges the need to win and secure a top-three finish in the international rankings for a better World Cup draw. 'The main thing this year is to win, and to hopefully be in a good position for that draw at the end of the year,' Erasmus said this past week. 'We have 14 confirmed games. 'That means if we can get the older guys playing in six or seven of them, and then give the medium to younger guys also six or seven and do the same next year, we should have enough depth for the World Cup.' The Springboks finished their second week of training in Johannesburg before the season-opener against the Barbarians at the Cape Town Stadium. They will move to the Mother City this weekend and start their final preparation for the Baabaas on Monday. The world champions will also face Italy in double Tests (July 5 and 12 in Pretoria and Gqeberha) and Georgia a week later in Mbombela. Asked if the Barbarians, Italians and Georgians will provide the strongest test before defending their Rugby Championship crown later this year, Erasmus said they were looking forward to measuring themselves especially at scrum-time against the European sides. Both are known for their powerful set-pieces, and it will be a perfect opportunity for the Boks to blend some experienced forwards with younger players. Defensively, the Baabaas with their traditional flair, will be a stern test to the Boks' defensive structures, and coach Robbie Deans has already confirmed former All Black captain Sam Cane and Irish legends Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray will make the trip to SA. 'A lot of people will assume that they will be easy teams, but it will be a slap in the face of those guys,' Erasmus said about underestimating them. 'We know the Barbarians from 2018, and the names I am seeing, it will really be a great test to get some guys in. 'It will be tough enough and it's in Cape Town, so there is no altitude. They will have more endurance. 'Italy and what we have analysed, they stayed in the fight in some of their games during the Six Nations. Their defence was really good. 'We drive our own standards, but we know if you are a little bit off (against them)... And I can remember when Italy beat South Africa. That feeling I can remember. 'We will be worried not to fall into that trap.'
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Proteas confidence validated after World Test Championship final win, says Marco Jansen
Ongama Gcwabe | Published 5 hours ago Proteas fast bowler Marco Jansen believes that winning the World Test Championship will give them the confidence that they need to take on the tours that lie ahead. South Africa have tours to Pakistan and India later this year, two countries where they have not won a Test series in a long time. In fact, apart from their series victory in Bangladesh last year, their first on the sub-continent in a decade, the Proteas have struggled in that region. To make matters worse, having won the World Test Championship, there will be more pressure on the team now as all eyes will be on them to witness how they begin their defence of the trophy in the upcoming 2025-2027 WTC cycle. However, Jansen emphasised that they have added confidence following their heroics at Lord's last week. It is warranted confidence, as they beat Australia to become the world Test champions, a team that are almost unbeatable in the finals of ICC events. 'Winning against them in the final with that bowling line-up, with that batting line-up definitely gives us a lot of confidence going forward,' Jansen said this week. 'We already had confidence, but it's sort of like just confirmation that, okay, cool, we actually can go and we can put the performances in when it's needed. So, yeah, definitely a good feeling.' Jansen missed out on the tour to Bangladesh as he was placed on a strength and conditioning block, and will thus have his first taste of Test cricket on the Asian sub-continent later this year. It is a good thing that the youngster is still looking to grow as a cricketer, as the sub-continent will most certainly serve him a few lessons. 'Personally, I feel I can grow a lot more. For me, it's just all about trying to get better and trying to get ways or find ways to help the team win. I like to say to make the team win. I don't just want to help, I want to make us win, because for me, it's two different things," said Jansen. 'But just also the other guys as well, KG (Rabada) also has been growing that's why he's kept on putting in match-winning performances, the batters, the guys off the field, the management, all of us. 'Everyone has grown in whatever facet. To see that happening over a two-year period is pretty cool to see. 'I think for all of us, you can work as hard as you can for as long as you can, but unfortunately, we're in the business of winning. 'If you don't win, it doesn't really matter what you do or how hard you work. 'For us, it's all about winning, because then that's when all the hard work pays off.' Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs will miss the upcoming two-match series against Zimbabwe as they are rested. Captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain, while Lungi Ngidi will only be available for the second Test in Bulawayo.
