The World Cup-winning Springboks wrapped up their multi-city trophy tour on Sunday with thousands of adoring fans flocking to see their heroes up close and personal over four days filled with celebration and pride.
South Africa edged arch-rivals New Zealand 12-11 to achieve a record fourth Rugby World Cup title and their second in a row in a gripping final in Paris a week ago.
The Boks visited Gauteng on Thursday, followed by Cape Town on Friday, Durban on Saturday and East London on Sunday.
On Thursday, Soweto teenagers danced in their school uniforms, as others, young and old, waved South African flags and yellow signs reading "thank you Bokke", waiting for the yellow and green open-top bus carrying the players.
Bus carrying 2023 Rugby World Champions (South Africa) passes Vilakazi Street in Soweto, Johannesburg. #Springboks #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/W1oeWkSYlm
— Felix Tih (@felixtiih) November 2, 2023
#YNews: The #Springboks arrived in Soweto to an elated crowd as the World Champions' victory tour gains momentum.
— Y (@Yfm) November 2, 2023
Vilakazi Street was packed with fans, celebrating the Springboks. pic.twitter.com/UHgfKV3CaI
Really felt patriotic today 🔥#strongertogether #SpringboksRWC #Springboks pic.twitter.com/IsWjNfASNm
— Zain_Sanchez (@ZainDaiz_) November 2, 2023
Wearing a green and gold t-shirt, Dined Malise, 49, left home a couple hours before the team's scheduled arrival to get a prime spot along the route.
"I'm so proud about my Bokke (Springboks), especially my captain," she said before breaking into a "Viva Bokke, Viva!" cry of joy.
Supporters erupted in a loud cheer as the players, wearing yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the team's motto "Stronger Together", rode through one Soweto's main streets, with captain Siya Kolisi rallying the crowd from the front, holding the Webb Ellis Cup.
It looks like the boys are having fun in the Gauteng sun today 😎#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/6ZukIMPiYF
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 2, 2023
Safe to say Cheslin Kolbe and Faf de Klerk are fan favourites in Pretoria 😂
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 2, 2023
The Springbok Trophy Parade has officially kicked off!
📺 Stream live: https://t.co/bDeiretOMn#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/THvGvVAD2d
'INTO A LEGEND'
The team began its victory tour on Thursday in Pretoria, where the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed the players for uniting a country with a divisive past.
"Saturday night, you strode off the pitch of victory and passed into legend," said Ramaphosa, who this week declared a public holiday on 15 December to celebrate the win.
"In doing so you have lifted the spirits of an entire nation and filled us with pride."
South Africa's Rugby World Cup champions were welcomed in the capital Pretoria by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Springboks are embarking on a country-wide tour with the Webb Ellis trophy that they won for a record fourth time this past weekend pic.twitter.com/PdQgP4CajO
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 2, 2023
For 90 years, Springbok selectors chose only white players, with black and mixed-race athletes sequestered in separate leagues.
That started to change after the advent of democracy in 1994, with Nelson Mandela famously rallying behind the team that won its first World Cup in 1995.
"This is the one time where everybody forgets whether they are black or white," said Vincent Mokgako, 65, sitting just outside the house where Mandela used to live in Soweto, now a museum.
"This is this is a legacy that Mandela left, that sports always brings people together," he said.
'DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH'
In recent years, Kolisi, 32, has been pivotal in bringing many young, black South Africans closer to the sport.
"We are very diverse, just like you are outside there and we just wanted to show that diversity is our strength," Kolisi, the Springboks' first black test captain, said earlier dedicating the trophy to "the people of South Africa".
[WATCH] Captain Siya Kolisi challenges President Cyril Ramaphosa to use the spirit of diversity displayed after the #Springboks Rugby World Cup victory for the entire country. "We need to use our diversity a bit more." #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/FcGyHy0725
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 2, 2023
"The performance of the Springboks...has reminded us that even amidst our many challenges, there is always room for optimism and hope," said Ramaphosa.
Here are some special moments captured during the trophy tour:
World champions & champion fans 🇿🇦@Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby’s Loftus Versfeld was INSANE! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GP3GpsXTgF
— Vodacom (@Vodacom) November 2, 2023
The people from the Capital came out in full force to show their support to the #Springboks 🚌🏆#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/gerkW6ywIh
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 2, 2023
Springboks met by thousands of supporters at FNB Stadium. pic.twitter.com/TQOyMFRQ51
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) November 2, 2023
Faf arrives in his speedo at FNB Stadium#Springboks pic.twitter.com/NEQAb52xyI
— Morgan Bolton (@FreemanZAR) November 2, 2023
Faf de Klerk the last born and Damian Willemse 🥰🥰🥰
— IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) November 2, 2023
I love them #SpringboksRWC
Rassie Union Buildings FNB Stadium pic.twitter.com/fkD0UHPLVR
What a great moment! Siya Dlamini from Volksrust in Mpumalanga gets to meet #Elizabedi 🥹#StrongerTogether @EbenEtzebeth pic.twitter.com/GAPyX3ewrn
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 3, 2023
Amazing scenes in the Mother City today 🏆🚌#StrongerTogether #Springboks pic.twitter.com/yHKmn547Ff
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 3, 2023
🥳 The streets of Cape Town were a Green and Gold party yesterday!
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 4, 2023
The Springboks continue their Trophy Tour in Durban today 🚌🇿🇦#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/sjK6Q73LJ7
Cape Town didn't disappoint today 🙏#StrongerTogether #Springboks
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 3, 2023
📸 Gallo Images pic.twitter.com/mgUPhKP29d
Lekker in Durbs 🏆🚌#Springboks #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/KHqR29TeyV
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 4, 2023
The @Springboks are on fire 🔥🔥
— KZN Provincial Gov (@kzngov) November 4, 2023
Durban is on fire 🔥🔥#SpringboksRWC #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/e87XtnuATp
A special Sunday in East London 🏆🚌#Springboks #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/PZ9wfjS5g3
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 5, 2023
WATCH | Springboks singing at the East London city hall. Video: ZIYANDA ZWENI pic.twitter.com/9NJLX5ikf2
— Daily Dispatch (@Dispatch_DD) November 5, 2023