THERE was a break-in at the South African Rugby Union (Saru) head office in Plattekloof, Cape Town on Monday night, 13 November.
It's been reported that Springboks signed jerseys, more than 50 laptops and alcohol bottles were stolen. However, the Webb Ellis Cup, which is believed to be a replica, was not taken.
Western Cape police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said two well-dressed men gained entry into two businesses at a building in the Uys Krige Business Park in Plattekloof.
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"According to reports, two well-dressed men entered the business park driving a white Toyota Corolla. They drove to the offices of the businesses which is the last building in the business park. They then proceeded to force open the window on the ground floor and entered the building.
"At the first company, five signed Springbok jerseys, whisky and eight laptops were taken and from the other company 60 laptops [also in the same building] were taken. Thereafter, the suspects left the building and drove away," he said.
He said the suspects are still at large, and urged the public to come forward should they have any information about the incident.
In a video footage of the break-in that has since gone viral on social media, the Webb Ellis Cup can be seen on a desk.
It was not until two men, one wearing a shirt with a hoodie and hand gloves and the other wearing a T-shirt, can be seen appearing in the footage.
The man wearing the gloves can be seen touching the trophy and leaving it to open the cupboard below as though searching for something.
He continues doing that with the rest of the cupboard in the office before entering another room with the other guy following him.
Here is footage of the burglary. https://t.co/6aOLd4VwHx pic.twitter.com/XjDADMTcfL
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) November 14, 2023
Saru has not issued any statement following the incident, but confirmed to Netwerk24 that all trophies are safe.
"They (the burglars) entered the ground floor of the office complex and gained access to Saru House’s offices. All the trophies, which include the Webb Ellis Cup, are safe," the union told the publication.
The floating Webb Ellis trophy has been admired by the nation when the victorious Springboks embarked on their four-day trophy tour to parade the cup after their Rugby World Cup win.
