VIDEO: 'This is what we stand for'
The World Cup-winning Springboks on Thursday began a four-day celebratory trophy tour in Pretoria, with President Cyril Ramaphosa hailing the team for uniting a country.
South Africa edged arch-rivals New Zealand 12-11 to secure a record fourth title in a gripping World Cup Final in Paris this past Saturday.
With gold medals hanging from their necks, the players arrived at the union buildings, the seat of the government, on a yellow open-top bus and shook hands with Ramaphosa.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick described the trophy tour as a “very special event” and added that it was good to celebrate with the people.
“This is what we stand for,” Stick said.
“We love the South Africans and want to thank them for sacrificing like this,” he said, before bursting into song with captain Siya Kolisi.
Utility back Cobus Reinach, who received death threats after starring in the one-point (29-28) quarterfinal win over hosts France in the quarterfinal, described the supporters as “out driving force”.
“We could not have done it without them.”
* (Continue below …)
“Thank you to everyone who has come out to support us” 🏆🚌#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/IU7v7rD8ev
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 2, 2023
The President, Ramaphosa also reserved special praise for the unifying factor the team has become.
“[Last] Saturday, you strode off the pitch of victory and passed into legends,” said Ramaphosa, who this week declared a public holiday on December 15 to celebrate the win.
“In doing so you have lifted the spirits of an entire nation and filled us with pride. You have united the South African people.”
Thousands of people lined the streets to greet a team that has captured the hearts of a nation but was once reviled as a symbol of apartheid.
“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, dedicating the trophy to “the people of South Africa”.
“You are our driving force” 🙏🇿🇦#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/kV1CnUE7AM
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 2, 2023
For 90 years Springbok selectors chose only white players, with black and mixed-race athletes sequestered in separate leagues.
That slowly 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.
The latest success brought joy to a nation still described by the World Bank as the most unequal in the world and battling unemployment, electricity, water and crime crises.
“The performance of the Springboks has reminded us that even amidst our many challenges, there is always room for optimism and hope,” said Ramaphosa.
In the course of four days the Springboks traverse four metropolises – Pretoria, Johannesburg, Soweto (all on Thursday), Cape Town (Friday), Durban (Saturday) and East London (Sunday).
* Additional reporting by AFP
* Picture credit: @Springboks
#VIDEO: Rassie, Rassie, Rassie_eeee #RugbyWorldCup #rugby #RWC2023 @Springboks #RassieErasmus #Rassie pic.twitter.com/krYPNxu8F4
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) November 2, 2023
