In a bizarre and massive facepalm moment, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was seen wearing the football team’s jersey while wishing the women’s cricket team, who are taking on India in the final of the ODI World Cup on Sunday, November 2, in Navi Mumbai.
The clip, meant to be a motivational message, went viral on social media, but not for the reasons intended. Ramaphosa’s choice of a football jersey instead of a cricket one drew widespread amusement and criticism, with many questioning how such an oversight slipped through.
Despite the wardrobe slip, Ramaphosa’s message radiated pride and support for Laura Wolvaardt’s team as they geared up for the final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Watch the video here:
I wish our @ProteasWomenCSA
the best for your ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Final against India on Sunday, 2 November 2025.
Both finalists delivered spectacular semi-finals.
As fans we are now looking forward to an equally entertaining Final and of course the appearance of… pic.twitter.com/dluEWjT83Z
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 1, 2025
“There will be almost 40,000 Indians who support cricket, and you know how cricket mad they are. But they should not even begin to discourage you or to wear you down,” Ramaphosa said.
At one point, the President tugged at his football jersey and remarked that the Proteas were heading out to ‘buy it’, a moment that caught the internet’s attention.
Meanwhile, Shafali Verma ended her three-year wait for a fifty, guiding India to 114/1 after 20 overs against South Africa in the Women’s World Cup final in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2.
Drafted in for the semifinal against Australia after Pratika Rawal’s injury, Shafali brought up her fifth ODI fifty off 49 deliveries, smacking five boundaries and a six.
Alongside vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Shafali shared a 104-run opening partnership after South Africa opted to bowl in their maiden World Cup final.
