Just a few days after winning the Rugby World Cup in Paris, South Africa almost lost its trophy. Thieves could have snatched it before passing on.
The Web Ellis Trophy safe and sound
A funny story happened in South Africa. Three weeks after winning the Rugby World Cup in France (on October 28), the South Africans almost lost the Webb Ellis Trophy. On the evening of Monday October 13, thieves broke into the South African Rugby Union at around 8pm GMT. The group broke in and one of them even lifted the trophy, according to CCTV footage from the premises, published by the BBC.
Nevertheless, the burglar left his loot behind. He and his group then moved on to the cupboards below. In the end, the Webb Ellis trophy was left behind. However, the group will leave with bottles of whisky, five signed Springbok jerseys and eight laptops, as well as odds and ends from other offices. According to the local press, no arrests have yet been made.
In a statement relayed by the BBC, a spokesman for the South African Rugby Federation said that all the trophies were now safe. He also said that the trophies from previous tournaments were in a cupboard. However, the 2023 trophy won in Paris on October 28 was...in a safe.
Burglars have broken into South Africa Rugby Union's offices, but the World Cup trophy is safe.
The trophy wasn't stolen, only touched.
In a video posted online, men can be seen stealing whisky, five signed Springbok jerseys and eight laptops.
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) November 15, 2023
