By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa greeted the Rugby World Cup champions as they arrived at the Union Buildings in Pretoria ahead of the trophy tour.
The champions came home to a warm welcome by thousands of South Africans at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday.
Thousands of fans from across the country braved the wet weather to welcome the champions home after a historic win against New Zealand in France.
South Africa beat New Zealand 12-11 in Paris last Saturday, becoming the team to win the title on four separate occasions, after also winning in 1995, 2007, and 2019.
Ramaphosa was at the Stade de France in Paris when the Springboks won.
The six-day parade will kicked off in Pretoria, before moving to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and East London.
SARU president Mark Alexander said “satellite tours” to populated areas in the Free State, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape are being planned, and the scheduling will depend on the players’ club commitments.
In a speech, he praised them for becoming the first team to win four Rugby World Cup trophies when they defeated New Zealand last Saturday.
“The words ‘Amabokoboko’, ‘Go Bokke’ are being shouted from the rooftops by black and white, young and old, urban and rural dwellers, in all our national languages,” said Ramaphosa.
“Over the past eight weeks this country has been a sea of green and gold. People who haven’t even followed rugby before or been interested in the game are now talking with confidence about scrums, rucks, drop kicks and tries.”
“We are very diverse, just like you are outside there and we just wanted to show that diversity is our strength,” said Siya Kolisi, the Springboks’ first black test captain, who dedicated the trophy to “the people of South Africa”.
The players, all wearing yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the team’s motto “Stronger Together”, waved to the crowd and drank beer as they drove through the streets.
There were a few notable absentees, with director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and fan-favourite Faf de Klerk, the team’s blonde-haired scrum half, among those who couldn’t attend the celebrations. But that didn’t dampen the mood.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa said the significance of the Springboks’ 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) win extends beyond the rugby field; it symbolises unity and reconciliation in South Africa and is a core ingredient for SA’s journey to nationhood.
“Their victory serves as a source of national pride and it gave the nation hope, thereby boosting the nation’s morale. Moreover, it promotes diversity and sportsmanship while fostering a sense of identity and belonging among South Africans, “the Minister said.
You inspire our youth to dream big, work hard, and aim for the stars. For South Africans, the 2023 RWC has demonstrated beyond any doubt that sport has a unique power, especially rugby.
“It brings people together, transcending boundaries of language, culture, and background. It unites us in a common cause, creating a sense of shared identity and purpose. As we celebrate your victory today, we also celebrate the unity and strength that sports can bring to our nation.”
He said over the past month, South Africa has been on a glorious wave, united in their support of the Springboks and celebrating the team’s triumphs because it represents their aspirations and hopes.
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