President Cyril Ramaphosa and almost the entire cabinet received the Springboks at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday.
The rugby world champions presented Ramaphosa with the Webb Ellis trophy they won after beating New Zealand 12-11 in a nerve-racking final in Paris on Saturday.
Ramaphosa was joined by a number of senior government ministers.
Captain Siya Kolisi‚ coach Jacques Nienaber and the rest of the Springbok players arrived at the Union Buildings at about 8.30am to present the trophy to Ramaphosa.
They were met with loud cheers from the crowd who braved the early morning chill in the capital as celebrations of their record-breaking fourth World Cup title continued.
Ramaphosa‚ who joined the team at Stade de France in Paris for the final‚ thanked the Boks for their gallant effort.
[WATCH] Captain Siya Kolisi challenges President Cyril Ramaphosa to use the spirit of diversity displayed after the #Springboks Rugby World Cup victory for the entire country. "We need to use our diversity a bit more." #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/FcGyHy0725
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 2, 2023
Minister of sport Zizi Kodwa said sport is a societal glue.
“When we sent them off, I handed over the national flag to captain Siya Kolisi and the team and told him the country is behind them. What we see now in the country is that sports binds us together,” Kodwa said.
The #Springboks are greeted by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the first stop of their four-day victory tour.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 2, 2023
📹 Tshidi Madia pic.twitter.com/xlco18NwiO
'You are our legends,' - President Cyril Ramaphosa on World Champions Springboks. pic.twitter.com/ZKMGZuawP6
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) November 2, 2023
After meeting Ramaphosa, the Springboks will start their trophy tour in Pretoria with their open-top bus departing from the Union Buildings for Loftus at about 9.30am before heading to the Pretoria CBD, and then on to Johannesburg, ending at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
The trophy tour continues in Cape Town on Friday, Durban on Saturday and East London on Sunday.
For the full schedule of the trophy tour in all four cities click here.
WATCH: President Cyril Ramaphosa handing out certificates to the #Springbok players. Captain Siya Kolisi was first. Makazole Mampimpi waves to the crowd pic.twitter.com/cQg8MQqqno
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) November 2, 2023
[WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa honours the #Springboks with certificates of appreciation at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The Springboks kick off their Webb Ellis trophy tour today in the capital city.#Newzroom405 #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Cvyz8Z6kh1
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 2, 2023
Springbok fans are in high-spirits outside the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane, as they eagerly await the team to pass-by on their open bus victory parade. #SpringboksRWC #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/FBvVYNJrT2
— Sashin Naidoo (@Sashinn007) November 2, 2023
Damian Willemse tells Eyewitness that he doesn’t plan on taking off the kit he wore at the finals in France. #Springboks @Alpha_Mero25 pic.twitter.com/gp3x85XRnH
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 2, 2023
A moment young Desmond Koolen will never forget as he met his Springboks heroes at MultiChoice City 🥺🤗#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/7UM7wYrWFP
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 2, 2023
[WATCH] 7-year-old rugby fan Desmond Koolen, known as The Feel Good Kid, welcomes #Springboks players at Multichoice City in Randburg, Johannesburg. Visuals: SuperSport#Newzroom405 #RWC23 pic.twitter.com/RkQ5Fxvj5W
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 1, 2023
[WATCH] The Webb Ellis trophy parade has officially kicked off in Pretoria.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) November 2, 2023
The #Springboks open bus tour will start at the Southern Sun Hotel and proceed to the Union Buildings where President Cyril Ramaphosa will receive the trophy.#SpringboksRWC pic.twitter.com/QjbNO3Amec
#SpringboksRWC
— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) November 2, 2023
Following the champions today, we've just left the hotel with the @Springboks.
The trophy tour begins we headed to Pretoria.
The boks will also meet President Cyril Ramaphosa today.
Catch the coverage on #SABCNews channel 404. pic.twitter.com/ufMdrYn59c
😝 "We are asking the man who never misses what he misses most about home!" - @MphoPopps
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 2, 2023
Handre Pollard didn't want to speak but Siya Kolisi was right there to make sure he gets his moment 😂#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/126MuBn0KI
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