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| S Africa fury over 'joke' anthem | S Africa fury over 'joke' anthem |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| South Africa's rugby team has accused France of "disrespecting" their country's national anthem at the start of Friday's test match in Toulouse. | South Africa's rugby team has accused France of "disrespecting" their country's national anthem at the start of Friday's test match in Toulouse. |
| The vice-caption of the Springboks called the rendition a "joke" after the singer forgot some of the lyrics and struggled to hit the high notes. | The vice-caption of the Springboks called the rendition a "joke" after the singer forgot some of the lyrics and struggled to hit the high notes. |
| Many in the crowd began to laugh during the anthem, which incorporates five of South Africa's 11 official languages. | Many in the crowd began to laugh during the anthem, which incorporates five of South Africa's 11 official languages. |
| Making matters worse, the world champs went on to lose 20-13 to France. | Making matters worse, the world champs went on to lose 20-13 to France. |
| South African coach Peter de Villiers told reporters the French deserved to win, but said he was most angry with the hosts for the poor singing of the anthem. | |
| "Before I answer the first question, I must first convey that we were annoyed by the fact the French did not respect our anthem. They did not really get somebody who knows it," he said. | "Before I answer the first question, I must first convey that we were annoyed by the fact the French did not respect our anthem. They did not really get somebody who knows it," he said. |
| South Africa forward Victor Matfield said the players were so shocked by the anthem blunder, they lost concentration before the match. | South Africa forward Victor Matfield said the players were so shocked by the anthem blunder, they lost concentration before the match. |
| "It was a joke out there and the guys couldn't even sing (along) and even the crowd was starting to laugh," he said. | "It was a joke out there and the guys couldn't even sing (along) and even the crowd was starting to laugh," he said. |
| "Every time you go out on the field and sing the national anthem, it's something that fires you up... It was a big disappointment." | "Every time you go out on the field and sing the national anthem, it's something that fires you up... It was a big disappointment." |