The Springboks arrived back in South Africa on Tuesday morning and were met by thousands of their excited and loyal fans at the OR Tambo International airport in Kempton Park.

They made history on Saturday by beating the All Blacks 12-11 in a thrilling final in Paris to win the Rugby World Cup for a record fourth time.

Fans of the four-time World Champions arrived in their numbers to welcome their heroes back.

The Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, said their last World Cup win is for the people of South Africa.

“Today, South Africa showed us exactly who we did it for,” said the two-time World Cup winning captain.

“On behalf of the team we’d like to thank the people of South Africa. It was a tough 20 weeks, but there was four years of planning behind that.

“When we won the World Cup in 2019, people didn’t think we would do it – instead, they were hopeful because the plan was always for 2023, but things changed and we won in 2019, and this time our people expected us to win.

“This was not about us as players, this victory was for every South African, and we showed what is possible with this diverse team.

 “The coaching staff knew how to align us as a group. This trophy was for the people for the people experiencing tough circumstances, those in Zwide, Goodwood and Malmesbury, and all other communities and townships, but also for those who are more well to do, and everyone who want to make something of their lives.

“As a team want to be a reference point for our people, to show them how we can do it, and hopefully they’ll get hope from this team.

“Another important thing for us was to transform while winning. But we’d also like this to extend beyond sport and what is happening in South Africa, and how people see things going forward.

“We may not be able to change people’s circumstances, but we can give hope we can inspire people.”

The Springboks Trophy Tour will start on Thursday with stops in Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport