There is a possibility that Roger Federer could be chanting ‘Bokke Bokke’, a national slogan yelled by South Africa’s rugby fans, from the confines of his bedroom every time he catches the men-in-green on television. The 42-year-old tennis legend is among the latest high-profile celebrities to lend their support to the SpringBoks, who have had the honor of crossing paths with iconic figures like Nelson Mandela.
The reasons behind Roger’s interest in South Africa’s rugby team are deeply personal, and his connection to the rainbow nation is what drives the Swiss athlete to passionately endorse the team’s recent triumph on the global stage.
Reason for Federer supporting South Africa
Let’s delve into a bit of history to highlight Federer’s connection to South Africa. During the Apartheid Era and the subsequent decolonization from European rule, numerous Swiss nationals, like those from Algeria, decided to relocate to South Africa.
In 1952, in Johannesburg precisely, Lynette came into the world. As an Afrikaner, she spent her formative years in the country before venturing to Switzerland in the 1970s for work. It was there that she crossed paths with Robert Federer, a colleague, whom she married in 1973. Lynette and Robert welcomed two children into the world – a daughter named Diana Vanessa in 1979 and a son named Roger Federer in 1981. The younger child would go on to etch his name in the annals of tennis history, while Lynette was often spotted fervently supporting him from the stands in bustling stadiums.
Roger Federer, raised in Basel, Switzerland, spent his formative years listening to his mother conversing in Afrikaans with their family, a language he never quite mastered. Nonetheless, his connection to his maternal heritage deepened significantly as he blossomed into a tennis legend. From attending tennis matches in South Africa to establishing a charity aimed at providing education to children in the country, Roger has steadfastly nurtured a profound bond with the nation.
“My girls speak three (languages) Slovakian, Swiss-German and then English. And the boys understand all three. Afrikaans is still on the to-do list. I have to tell Granny to do a better job,” he had joked in an interview with the media in Cape Town during a tournament.
Federer celebrates with South African rugby team
Following a riveting Rugby World Cup finale in which the Springboks triumphed over the All-Blacks in a breathtaking encounter, the team found themselves in for a surprise as they retreated to their locker rooms to savor their hard-earned victory.
Amidst the huddle of robust and muscular athletes, an out-of-place figure was present, Roger Federer. He engaged in conversations with the players, extending his heartfelt congratulations on their extraordinary victory, and graciously posed for photographs with a few awe-struck sportsmen.
Roger Federer will undoubtedly treasure this moment as a remarkable sporting spectacle and will seek to take home cherished memories from his trip to France, where the World Cup was hosted. Meanwhile, the Springboks will return to South Africa and revel in a period of celebration after a triumphant campaign during which they suffered only one defeat on their path to victory.
Roger will likely stay in France and catch a glimpse of the star-studded Paris Masters 1000 tennis event, where the likes of Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev are participating.
What are your opinions on Federer’s connection to and support for the South African rugby team? Let us know in the comments section below.
