Actress and singer Keabetswe Motsilanyane, also known as “KB,” delivered one of the most moving renditions of the South African national anthem ever performed when the Springboks beat Ireland at Loftus on Saturday, 6 July.
The star set the tone for the momentous victory of 27-20 between the rugby rivals.
Now Bok fans want the star to perform every national anthem going forward.
SOUTH AFRICANS MOVED BY KB’S NATIONAL ANTHEM
South Africans were left less than impressed by singer Hercules Smith’s rendition of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika when the Springboks played Wales in Twickenham last month. Some even compared the Pretoria performer to Ras Dumisani, whose disastrous 2019 national anthem execution had citizens and players cringing.
But this time around, rugby fans were blown away by singer KB’s vocals and spellbinding presence.
The former 7de Laan actress – dressed in green gown – stopped her performance to allow the emotional crowd at Loftus to finish the song.
One of the greatest renditions of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika ever! 🇿🇦 #RSAvIRE pic.twitter.com/AFTaTuX63T
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) July 6, 2024
On social media, many Springbok fans petitioned SA Rugby to let the star perform all national anthems going forward.
@LionelAdendorf posted: “After this, KB should be the only one leading our national anthem during Springbok matches! 🤩”
@Riaan_A: “Respect and credit to KB for recognising the moment and letting the crowd sing the rest. Her awareness of the situation was impeccable.”
@MoFaraaz22 tweeted: “That’s the greatest rendition I’ve ever seen.”
After this, KB should be the only one leading our national anthem during Springbok matches! 🤩 https://t.co/Vg67TdzCC7
— Lionel Adendorf 🇵🇸 (@LionelAdendorf) July 6, 2024
‘HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE’
It’s not the first time KB has delivered a stellar performance of the national anthem at Loftus.
In 2022, the star sang the national song at the Springboks test match against Wales in their first game post-Covid on home turf.
Reflecting on the emotional experience, KB shared in an Instagram post: “I couldn’t feel the ground beneath my feet. I had just experienced a moment I will never forget. The honour and privilege of leading the South African national anthem at the first ‘crowd-attended’ rugby match after the Covid-19 restrictions”.
She added: “I understood the responsibility and duty to deliver it from the heart, which I pray I did.”
KB first performed the national anthem in 2010 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
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