[imagesource:twitter/@Thabo_Tshaba]
The whistle blew for our 12-11 victory over New Zealand in Paris on Saturday, but the celebrations haven’t stopped since.
Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport was positively buzzing right up to the moment the triumphant Springboks arrived home from the Rugby World Cup in France, with supporters ready to celebrate alongside the winning team in every South African way possible.
By that I mean SA flag thongs, singing, jubilation, and dancing galore. When a rugby team tears up the record books and wins back-to-back tournaments as well as four of the eight World Cups they’ve been in, they deserve nothing less.
The team touched down just after 10AM with captain Siya Kolisi carrying the Webb Ellis Cup, departing coach Jacques Nienaber, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and senior players briefing the media.
But before entering the rapturous crowd at the airport, the Bokke had a private party on the plane:
Meanwhile, the fans were gathering:
Nkalakatha keeping us entertained as we wait for the Springboks. pic.twitter.com/2FgfxwRCau
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) October 31, 2023
Then, the atmosphere reached a crescendo as the Springboks walked through international arrivals.
WATCH | jubilation all around the OR Tambo International Airport ahead of the #Springboks arrival. #Springboks @TimesLIVE pic.twitter.com/Llzdal93gP
— Thabo Tshabalala (@Thabo_Tshaba) October 31, 2023
SIYAAAAAA-DUUUUMMAAAAAA!
Special human. pic.twitter.com/BPjRtW0LSN
— A-P (@rugby_ap) October 31, 2023
Siya Kolisi just corrected a journo who said ‘RWC-winning captain and coach’
Siya: “Double World Cup winning.”
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 31, 2023
Per TimesLIVE, one staunch fan Thabo Moroka shared his sentiments about the Boks, saying “These guys have made us proud and I am here to welcome them like heroic soldiers coming back from war.”
Other fans also brought the drama:
WATCH | Jens Otto outfit is inspired by Faf de Klerk. #SpringboksRWC #RWC2023 @TimesLIVE pic.twitter.com/Oq0Co4soXC
— Thabo Tshabalala (@Thabo_Tshaba) October 31, 2023
Rassie Erasmus, who was the coach in 2019 when the Boks won the title too, was reportedly beyond emotional:
Tears! Rassie Erasmus overcome with emotion as South Africa welcome the Springboks back home.#RWCFinal #RWC2023 @IOLNews
📽️ @FreemanZAR pic.twitter.com/miVPuLyyQn
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) October 31, 2023
South African Rugby has released the routes of the Springboks’ victory tour, which kicks off on Thursday in Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria, before moving to Cape Town on Friday, Durban on Saturday and wrapping up in East London on Sunday.
Follow the BokSquad fan page for the times and roads where you can meet up with the Bokke and pose with them and the Webb Ellis Cup trophy. Otherwise, TimesLIVE also has a comprehensive schedule up for your perusal.
