In an unfortunate incident on Monday, the South African Rugby (SARU) offices in Plattekloof, Western Cape, fell victim to a break-in. The burglars made away with Springboks memorabilia, signed jerseys, and laptops, creating a stir in the rugby community.
The daring break-in involved two well-dressed burglars who managed to infiltrate SARU House through the ground floor, shared by various businesses. The targeted area included the room housing the replica of the prestigious Webb Ellis trophy, a symbolic representation of rugby excellence.
🏆🏆🏆🏆#StrongerTogether #Springboks pic.twitter.com/RcBDW1AFy2
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 3, 2023
According to a spokesperson for SA Rugby, the burglars, after forcibly entering the building, focused on valuable items in two separate companies within the complex. From the first company, they took five signed Springbok jerseys, whisky, and eight laptops. The second company suffered the loss of 60 laptops. Following the theft, the criminals left the premises and fled the scene.
Fortunately, the spokesperson confirmed that all trophies, including the Webb Ellis Cup replicas, are secure. The original William Webb Ellis Cup, along with replicas from 1995, 2007, and 2019, were safely stored in an office safe that remained untouched during the break-in.
The incident has gained attention on social media, with anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee sharing footage and images of the burglars. Meanwhile, the Parrow police have registered two cases of business burglary, intensifying efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Here is footage of the burglary. https://t.co/6aOLd4VwHx pic.twitter.com/XjDADMTcfL
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) November 14, 2023
It’s worth noting that SARU has taken swift action to reassure the public about the safety of the trophies. The break-in comes just weeks after the Springboks clinched their fourth Rugby World Cup title by defeating New Zealand 12-11 in Paris. Despite the disruption caused by the burglary, SARU remains in possession of the coveted Webb Ellis trophy, safeguarded in the office safe.
The break-in serves as a reminder of the challenges organizations face in protecting valuable sports memorabilia. As the rugby community awaits further developments in the investigation, SARU continues its commitment to maintaining the security of these cherished symbols of rugby achievement.
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