The Springboks returned home to a heroes' welcome at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday after they won a record fourth Rugby World Cup in France.
The Boks landed in Johannesburg around 10am on Tuesday. They took time to come through customs and the luggage area into an arrivals hall packed to the rafters with a boisterous crowd, who greeted the return of the victorious stars with noise that lifted the airport roof.
South Africa were again crowned kings of rugby again after a nail-biting 12-11 win over rivals New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane’s first half red card proved decisive in a gritty battle as the Springboks became the first four-time winners of the Rugby World Cup, and the second after New Zealand to retain the title.
Led by inspirational captain Siya Kolisi and coach Jacques Nienaber, the Boks came through the arrivals gates at just after 11pm to a rapturous reception.
A tearful Siya Kolisi live streaming on IG as the #Springboks arrive at the OR Tambo International Airport #SpringboksRWC#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/OQNGJJoIZL
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) October 31, 2023
World champions Springboks have landed back home. pic.twitter.com/jjeuy1LlRF
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) October 31, 2023
The Springboks will embark on a celebratory trophy tour in the coming days in Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, with more satellite tours set for next year.
“The tour will start in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto, concluding at FNB Stadium on Thursday, and take in Cape Town (Friday) and Durban (Saturday) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on Sunday,” South African Rugby said.
“The locations have been selected for population size in the first three instances and because of the Eastern Cape’s rugby significance in the fourth.
“Satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay and other centres will be scheduled for 2024. Such tours after the 2019 victory had to be abandoned because of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
WATCH | We are here for the protection of the Webb Ellis trophy from the rain. #SpringboksRWC flaunts their victory cup around at OR Tambo. Security is tight around it. #Springboks #rugbyworldcup2023
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) October 31, 2023
Video : @ttmbele pic.twitter.com/k7NsQKgLgt
Faf de Klerk's fans have spotted him at the OR Tambo International Airport as Bongi Mbonambi walks with the Webb Ellis Cup in hand. Watch the live coverage on #eNCA #DStv403. #QuestionThinkAct pic.twitter.com/0HLdemWpPE
— eNCA (@eNCA) October 31, 2023
WATCH: #Springboks captain Siya Kolisi (wrapped in a South African flag) walks around with the Webb Ellis Cup at OR Tambo International Airport. @nzimandebafana #SpringboksRWC pic.twitter.com/SX4mGY2qu8
— POWER987News (@POWER987News) October 31, 2023
#SpringboksRWC, fourth-time champions touch down at the OR Tambo International Airport. Fans rejoice 🏈🏉. #Rasta showcases his new #Springboks
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) October 31, 2023
painting.#RugbyWorldCupFinal#rugbyworldcup2023#GoBokke pic.twitter.com/chQhAyM9v4
TOUCHDOWN #IBUYILE! 🏆🏉❤️🇿🇦
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 31, 2023
The @Springboks Rugby team have arrived at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to present the Webb Ellis Cup to a jubilant crowd of South Africans who have gathered to celebrate with them after clinching the Rugby World Cup… pic.twitter.com/1uW8qJujq9
Priceless moments @ortambo_int #SpringboksRWC
— Nqobile Madlala (@NqobileMadlala_) October 31, 2023
The boys have brought the Webb Ellis Cup home. pic.twitter.com/6PreJb2D9h
Bongi Mbonambi lifts the web Ellis cup
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) October 31, 2023
Rassie Erasmus walks in as he has described the #springboks as one of the greatest teams in rugby history! 🏆
The @Springboks arrive to a hero's welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport #SpringboksRWC#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/4OnMzB9Uqm
Siya Kolisi proudly raises the Webb Ellis Cup as he leads the #Springboks through the gates of OR Tambo International Airport, greeted by thousands of eager fans. 🇿🇦🏆 What a homecoming! #RugbyChampions
— Mageba (@Sadmethod) October 31, 2023
#WelcomeHome#SpringboksRWC pic.twitter.com/njnVvKWkLh
Springboks senior players
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) October 31, 2023
Retshegofaditswe 'Ox' Nche, Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth after arriving from the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/9wQfqoMkTp
Befitting heroes' welcome shower of SA's World Rugby Champions' plane as it landed at OR Tambo... Welcome back home Bokke! #SpringboksRWC #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Kox43qZ44U
— Phindile Chauke (@NewzJournalist) October 31, 2023
Fans go wild cheering on the Springboks as they leave the OR Tambo International Airport. #StrongerTogether #SpringboksRWC
— newsnote (@newsnoteSA) October 31, 2023
Who's your favourite #Springbok? pic.twitter.com/svA36pxtAe
Siya Kolisi and the Springboks singing their way onto their flight back to South Africa.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) October 30, 2023
The back-to-back World Cup winners! pic.twitter.com/gXSY8sJkkE
🇿🇦 𝔹𝕆𝕂𝕊 𝔸ℝℝ𝕀𝕍𝔸𝕃 🇿🇦@TheGautrain is abuzz with Springbok supporters headed to OR Tambo International Airport FOR FREE this morning 🎉#SABCSportRugby #Springboks pic.twitter.com/AOMZkl3xu7
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 31, 2023
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