Boksburg Advertiser was at the heroes welcome for our Bokke

It was an incredible experience for locals among the thousands of die-hard Springbok fans who braved the cold and rain to welcome back the world champions at OR Tambo International Airport on October 31.

The Bokke became back-to-back champions after beating the All Blacks 12-11 in the Rugby World Cup final on October 28.

Not only was it team captain Siya Kolisi’s second time lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup, but the Springboks are also the first team to have won the cup four times.

Fans were so excited about the men in green and gold winning the cup that many had been at the airport since the early hours of the morning to see the team.

It was chaos by the time the Springboks landed and there was barely space to walk. However, the team still showed love to the fans.

For example, Jessie Kriel danced along with fans. Others were lucky to get a photo or autograph.
Shaniqua Steenkamp from Boksburg managed to get a photo with Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe.

“I’m so excited that I got a photo with him,” she said. Steenkamp also wanted to get a photo with Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk but did not get the opportunity.

Others were disappointed that they could not get a photo or see their favourite player.

Hope

Kolisi said the victory was not just for the players but for every South African.

The captain added they hoped the team inspired people from all walks of life to strive for their dreams and to realise that anything is possible.

“Today, South Africa showed us exactly who we did it for,” said an elated Kolisi.

“On behalf of the team, we’d like to thank the people of South Africa. It was a tough 20 weeks, but there were four years of planning behind that.

“When we won the World Cup in 2019, people didn’t think we would do it. They were hopeful because the plan was always for 2023, but things changed and we won in 2019. This time our people expected us to win. We showed what is possible with this diverse team.”

Kolisi pointed out: “The coaching staff knew how to align us as a group. This trophy was for the people experiencing tough circumstances, those in Zwide, Goodwood and Malmesbury, and all other communities and townships, but also for those who want to make something of their lives.

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“As a team want to be a reference point for our people, to show them how we can do it, and hopefully they’ll glean hope from this team.

“We’d also like this victory to extend beyond sport to change South Africa. We may not be able to change people’s circumstances, but we can give hope and we can inspire.”

United

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa, Zizi Kodwa, lauded the team for what they achieved to unite the nation.

“The team’s performances on and off the field was an expression of former President Nelson Mandela’s saying that ‘sport has the power to change the world, sport can create hope where once there was only despair’,” said Kodwa.

“This victory pays homage to his vision, and it’s a dream to see the nation so united. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to Cyril Ramaphosa and the deputy minister for going to France to support the team.”

Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), also praised the thousands of supporters who awaited the team from the early hours of the morning.

“We have deep gratitude to the supporters for welcoming the four-time world champions. The videos we saw from back home were instrumental in motivating the team and they forged hope in the nation that desperately needed it.

“The Springboks will begin their trophy tour on Thursday where they will share in the celebrations with the passionate citizens of South Africa,” added Alexander.

Shaniqua Steenkamp from Boksburg with Springbok Cheslin Kolbe.

Tour details

The Springboks will embark on a four-day trophy tour to major regional population centres from November 2.

The tour will start in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto, concluding at FNB Stadium on November 2, and then take in Cape Town (November 3) and Durban (November 4) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on November 5.

The locations have been selected for population size in the first three instances and because of the Eastern Cape’s rugby significance in the fourth.

Satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay and other centres will be scheduled for 2024.

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