WATCH: Springboks cheered on in the streets of Paris by Mzansi supporters

Bok fever has truly cornered South Africans into a chokehold, but the palpable feeling of patriotism isn’t only evident in Mzansi but also even in the streets of France where Springbok support group, the Gwijo Squad cheered on locks Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman.

🗣️🗣️🗣️ Gwijo to the World ! #GwijoSquadinParis https://t.co/4Yh93zV3k0

— Gwijo Squad (@GwijoSquad) October 26, 2023

In the video the Gwijo Squad sang louder as they saw the locks, who were seemingly on a stroll with their wives.  Snyman wasn’t so visible but as soon as the Gwijo Squad saw him, they pulled him to the centre of the singing.

The Gwijo Squad is a sports fans movement with the purpose of being a catalyst for transformation in South African sport and stimulating an inclusive involvement of sport fans in the country.

The supporter’s movement was established in 2017 after Springboks ‘A’ faced the French Barbarians in Durban in an empty Moses Mabhida Stadium.

One fan that is now Gwijo Squad chairman, Chulumanco Macingwane, contacted a few friends concerned about this paucity of support. After a week, 35 people united in Soweto to add their voices to a game that saw the same two teams face each other-giving birth to the Gwijo Squad.

“The Gwijo Squad is South African and South Africans are the Gwijo Squad,” Macingwane is quoted on the group’s website.

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Bok fever

Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture Zizi Kodwa – who has been in France to support the national team since last week – joined the captain’s run this morning to wish the team well ahead of the final against New Zealand.

I joined the @Springboks Captain’s Run to send well wishes to the Bokke. The @Springboks are ready for the final. This your team, fellow South Africans. Let’s get behind our pride and joy! Yivale maBhokobhoko! @SiyaKolisi @EbenEtzebeth @Fafster091 @BongiMbonambi #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/t2fUVn3MVN

— Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture (@zizikodwa) October 27, 2023

Back home in South Africa, the excitement is evident from the Bok jerseys worn by citizens from various walks of life.

A touching video of kids wishing the team well has been making the rounds on social media, where the children mentioned each member of the Bok team by name – not just the squad that will take the field on Saturday.

“ For the Springboks “ For South Africa 🇿🇦

– Southdowns College Pre-Prep Edition #Springboks #StrongerTogether #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/NXjopVCiWG

— Oxkraal (@oxkraal) October 27, 2023

While some have shown their patriotism through heartfelt messages, others have used the opportunity to joke around the Springboks and its infamous Bomb Squad.

Bomb Sqaud pic.twitter.com/D6WfAHWfBF

— Toks van der Linde (@toksvdl) October 27, 2023

Go Bokke! Tackle them on the wide side 😫 pic.twitter.com/sFZ1TmJCXs

— Coconut Kelz (@CoconutKelz) October 26, 2023

NOW READ: Bok supporters, the Gwijo Squad, finally arrive in France after years of saving