CAPE TOWN, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Africa is going all out to host the Rugby World Cup 2023, the Presidency said on Thursday.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a high-level delegation to London this coming Sunday to present South Africa's bid to the World Rugby Council for hosting the prestigious Rugby World Cup 2023 tournament, said Tyrone Seale, acting presidential spokesperson.
Ramaphosa will be supported by Sport and Recreation Minister Thulas Nxesi and Deputy Minister Gert Oosthuizen.
The high-powered delegation will also include SA Rugby President Mark Alexander and Chief Executive Officer Jurie Roux, who will lay out South Africa's technically and commercially compelling case to host the tournament.
Ramaphosa's participation in this visit demonstrates the government's support for and commitment to the effort to return the tournament to the African continent in the 21st century, Seale said.
"Contractually, this commitment is demonstrated by the fact that the South African government has, as the lead partner in the bid process, signed off on all the requirements stipulated by the World Rugby Council, satisfying more than the required minimum guarantee in the process," said Seale.
Ramaphosa has called on all South Africans to show their support for South Africa's bid as the delegation enters the final stages of securing the Rugby World Cup 2023.
Ireland and France are the other contenders for the 2023 tournament that will take place 200 years after the invention, according to legend, of the game of rugby by William Webb Ellis.
The host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be announced November 15, 2017.
South Africa expects the tournament, if held in the country, to help stimulate the economy and further boost the tourism and hospitality sectors.
