Sasol Springbok send-off dinner

The Springboks were given a rapturous send-off dinner by team sponsor, Sasol in Johannesburg on Sunday 2 September 2007. Over 400 guests and sponsors attended the glittering extravaganza which was broadcast live on SuperSport.

Emcee's Elana Afrika and Dave Macleod hosted the evening and guests were treated to a selection of local South African artists including Arno Jordaan, Tim Moloi and The Broers to name but a few.

Guests had the opportunity of wishing the team good luck and the team got into the spirit of things at the dinner. Dressed in their formal national blazers, each member of the squad was introduced on stage and awarded a Rugby World Cup 2007 cap.

Addressing the audience, skipper John Smit was full of confidence ahead of their team's departure to France.

"The question every Springbok hates answering is: 'Are we ready?' The answer is an emphatic yes," the hooker said.

"I remember the first time we got together in Bloemfontein when Jake White first became the coach. He told us: 'Boys, we're going to win the World Cup in 2007.'

"We believe he is right. There have been some highs and there have been some massive learning curves, but this team is ready."