South Africans Slam Minister Gayton McKenzie for Old Unpatriotic Springboks Tweet
- Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has come under fire again for his remarks
- This time, the minister is in the spotlight for an old tweet about the South African national rugby team
- The unpatriotic tweet about the Springboks has many South Africans wondering how the minister will respond to it
The Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, is in the spotlight again over an old tweet about the national rugby team. South Africans dug up the tweet dating back to 2015, indicating the minister's doubt in the national rugby team.
Source: Getty Images
What did McKenzie say?
In the tweet, originally posted on 26 September 2015, during the Rugby World Cup, the post wishes for the Springboks to be beaten. The Patriotic Alliance leader was referring to the Springboks playing at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks were playing against Samoa and beat Samoa 46-6. In the tweet, a handle, Boss_Mapitsi, asked if the account was hacked. McKenzie, using his current Twitter handle @GaytonMcK, said, "No, they should come home."
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The four-time World Cup champions finished the tournament in third place, with New Zealand taking the title. South Africa later made history by securing back-to-back World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023.
McKenzie praises Boks
Despite the old tweet resurfacing, the minister congratulated the Springboks after securing a win against Australia yesterday, 23 August 2025, in Cape Town. McKenzie has not yet responded to the old tweet.
What did South Africans say?
Social media users shared their opinions regarding the old tweet from the minister.
@Donga_Dilika said:
"X should delete everything at least every 5 years."
@SunsetendS said:
"Minister!!!"
@MeekJam said:
"He wasn't even hacked."
@SpoonSensimbi said:
"ayi jy baiza jy."
@africanacademia said:
"Confirm that this is not you saying this about the Springboks. Your past seems to be hunting you everyday."
@tersfees said:
"Nothing is pernanent in sport and politics."
Source: Getty Images
What you need to know about Gayton McKenzie's old tweets
- Pressure is mounting for Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to be removed from his position.
- The president of the Patriotic Alliance, Gayton McKenzie, has apologised for tweets that have resurfaced from over a decade ago.
- The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has called for an investigation into Gayton McKenzie's alleged criminal ties.
- Gayton McKenzie maintained that he would not apologise for posts deliberately taken out of context.
- Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie will meet with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
- MacG strongly criticised Gayton McKenzie after netizens unearthed old posts of him repeatedly using the k-word.
- The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, spoke about his k-word tweets that surfaced from 2011.
McKenzie calls Malema fellow bank robber
In another article, Briefly News reported that Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie commented on how he and Julius Malema had a lot in common.
The Minister of Sport, Art and Culture addressed his criminal past in relation to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader. Some South Africans were amused, but others were annoyed by McKenzie's comments about Malema.
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Source: Briefly News
