Rugby World Cup
Celebrities 'christen' grass that will travel with the Springboks to the Rugby World Cup
ESPN Staff
September 4, 2015
South Africans water a patch of grass that is to travel with the Springboks to the 2015 World Cup © Getty Images
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Celebrities and Sports Stars have 'christened' a special piece of turf to give to the Springboks to give the South African side a real 'Home Ground Advantage' as they head to England for the Rugby World Cup. At an event at the Springbok Experience Rugby Museum in Cape Town, celebrities, fans and Springbok legend Breyton Paulse watered a piece of turf that had been cultivated to support the Springboks' World Cup bid.

Soil was drown from all 14 South African rugby provinces, and the seed will be taken with the side to the UK where it will be planted, grown and placed in special trays in the Springbok dressing rooms. The South African turf will be the last thing the players' boots touch before they head for the field during the tournament.

South African Rugby Union CEO Jurie Roux said this was another part of the #HomeGroundAdvantage campaign the SARU had developed in the lead up to the World Cup, which also includes fans faces placed in player's jersey numbers.

"We wanted some way to make our #HomeGroundAdvantage campaign tangible for the players," said SARU CEO, Jurie Roux. "They know that back home and in the stands there will be passionate South Africans cheering them on.

"But this will be a visible and physical reminder of what they are playing for and from where they come. The soil has been sent to us from the provinces all over South Africa; it couldn't get more South African than this - the grass will definitely be Springbok "greener" when the team runs out."

South African celebrities Zoe Brown, Elena Afrika Bredenkamp, Leigh-Anne Williams, Tapfuma Makina, Francois van Coke, Pierre Greeff and Miss South Africa, Liesl Lauri all attended the event and showed their support for the Springboks in preparation for Rugby's biggest event.

"It's a fun, informal occasion for South African celebrities to demonstrate their support for the team," said Roux. "We're also calling on supporters to put on their green jerseys every Friday - and every other day of the week if they wish - to get behind the team and cheer them every step of the way.

"The Rugby World Cup only comes round every four years and we know how much sporting success has meant to our country. Now is the time to show the players that we have their backs and are with them every step of the way."

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