“Humbled and over-awed” – that was the reaction of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi when the newly-crowned RWC champions were welcomed back to SA by thousands of supporters, government officials and media at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening.
A big chunk of the 31 players that did duty in Japan in the last two months arrived on two different flights after close to 40 hours of travel time from Tokyo on Tuesday.
Groups of Springbok players and management flew via Sydney and Abu Dhabi. More squad members are arriving on Wednesday.
WORLD CHAMPS: Makazole Mapimpi and Willie le Roux arrive at OR Tambo. Picture: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.
The first group to arrive included World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, RWC final try-scorers Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi, as well as RWC final man of the match Duane Vermeulen, were greeted by massive cheers from thousands of green and gold-clad supporters as pandemonium broke out when the Boks exited into the International Arrivals hall.
Kolisi and South Africa’s Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, whose flight via Sydney was delayed by a few hours, landed after 19h00, with supporters patiently waiting for their arrival, and the arrivals hall erupting with thunderous cheers when the Bok captain walked through the doors carrying the Webb Ellis Cup.
PREPARATION: Supporters waited for hours to get a glimpse of South Africa's hero's. Video: ANA.
They thanked the supporters for coming out in their droves to welcome their heroes back.
“In Japan, we got a glimpse of the support back home, but this reception is something else – we can’t begin to thank everyone for backing us throughout this journey,” said Kolisi.
“We did this for all South Africans – ordinary people who work tirelessly all day long to care for their families and friends and ultimately make our wonderful country an even better place.
“Winning the World Cup on foreign soil was very special – and arriving home to this wonderful support is the cherry on top. We are tired but grateful, humbled and over-awed – thank you.”
ATMOSPHERE: Boks supporters created a welcoming atmosphere with song and dance. Video: ANA.
Springboks' Gauteng tour:
The Springboks will kick off their RWC Trophy Tour in Gauteng on Thursday when they will travel through parts of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto, parading the Webb Ellis Cup from an open-top bus.
The route plans for Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town (Friday to Monday) will be communicated in the next day or two.
The route plan for Gauteng:
Pretoria:
- 08h30 to 09h30: Union Building South Lawns
- 09h30: Parade starts in an easterly direction down Stanza Bopape Street
- Right into End Street
- Right into Pretorius Street in a westerly direction
- Left into Gordon Street (which becomes Jan Shoba Street)
- Right into Burnett Street
- Left into Park Street
- Left into Kirkness Street, past Loftus Versfeld
- Right into Jorissen Street (becomes Kotze Street, A Reyeng route into Nana Sita)
- Right into Paul Kruger Street and around Church Square
- Right into Madiba Street
- 10h30 to 11h00 Stop at Tshwane House and then depart to Johannesburg.
HUMBLED: Siya Kolisi arrives at a press conference in Johannesburg. Video: ANA.
Johannesburg and Soweto:
- 14h00: Parade starts at 1 Jan Smuts Avenue in Braamfontein to Metro Centre and across the Nelson Mandela Bridge
- Onto FNB Bank City in Simmonds Street
- Onto Nasrec Road past Riverley and to the FNB Stadium
- South to Ben Naude Street
- Left into Immink Road
- Right into Chris Hani Street past Maponya Mall
- Right into Klipspruit Valley Road
- Left into Kumalo Main Road and left into Vilakazi Street and onto the Hector Pieterson Memorial
- From approximately 15h45 to 16h15: past Orlando Stadium
African News Agency