South Africa’s rugby union team are back home from France after winning the World Cup for a record fourth time.
The players were met at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg by a huge, rapturous crowd on Tuesday.
South Africa is the most successful team at the World Cup after winning four titles in eight appearances.
Captain Siya Kolisi greeted supporters at the airport with the Webb Ellis Cup, won on Saturday after a nail-biting match against New Zealand.
He told a press conference on Tuesday in Johannesburg: “We made a decision that we had already one the World Cup in 2019 – it’s not about us as players anymore.
“We wanted to make sure that this one is for the people of South Africa. This one is for every single person in South Africa. Rich, poor… it doesn’t matter where you come from.”
The arrivals hall at OR Tambo had been packed for hours before the team – nicknamed the Springboks – landed, with fans dancing, waving flags and singing the national anthem.
Such is the Word Cup spirit in South Africa that Gautrain, the high-speed commuter train linking Johannesburg to the capital, Pretoria, offered free travel to airport for eager Springbok fans.
For a country currently suffering rolling blackouts, economic strife and the world’s highest unemployment rate, the win has served as a welcome break.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was among those hailing the Springbok’s feat as a sign of hope.
“We need more of this, and not just in the domain of sporting achievement… the patriotism we display in sports stadiums should be reflected in our approach to overcoming our challenges,” he said.
To the delight of workers across the nation, Mr Ramaphosa declared 15 December a public holiday in celebration of the Springboks.
