Durban - The Department of Sport and Recreation will join the South African Rugby Union (SARU), Lead SA, SuperSport, Absa and other South Africans to see the Springboks off for the World Cup.
The joint initiative dubbed "Fans' Farewell" will take place on September 1, and the team will make a public farewell from Sandton. The event will be broadcast live on national television and radio.
Thousands of fans are expected to pack Sandton as the team makes an on-stage appearance in Nelson Mandela Square before walking to the Gautrain station where they will travel with a group of lucky supporters to OR Tambo International Airport.
A satellite farewell event will be hosted at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
"We have been asking fans to unite behind the Boks and we are excited about creating an opportunity for them to show the team that the country is truly united behind them. We would like to invite all South Africans in and around Sandton to join us in the festivities of September 1," said SARU President Oregan Hoskins.
"Rugby World Cups hold a special place in the history of modern South Africa and we want to make a memorable statement about national support for the Springboks as they head for New Zealand."
Fans are urged to wear their official Springbok jerseys on "Fans Farewell day" as well as on Bokday - every Friday to the end of the tournament as well as on Springbok match days.
Gates open at midday and the festivities will start at 3:30pm with live entertainment by South African artists.
Fans can expect prize competitions and other activities, building up to the performance of SARU's Rugby World Cup campaign song "Let's do it again!" performed by Freshlyground and Goldfish, and aircraft fly-over display and the arrival of the Springbok squad.
Access to Nelson Mandela Square will be controlled to those with VIP tickets - which will be available through giveaways on 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Radio 702, the Pretoria News and The Star newspapers.
But West Street - from Nelson Mandela Square to the Gautrain Station - will be accessible to all-comers.
The event organisers will on Monday issue a detailed run order of the events of the day as well as updated traffic and security arrangements.
People can also contact the Call Centre on 083 666 1636 regarding road closures of traffic information in the Sandton CBD.
