The jubilant atmosphere as fans waving South African flags cheered while the Springboks wheeled their luggage trolleys through OR Tambo International Airport was akin to a heroes’ welcome.
And rightly so. The team’s edge-of-your-seat win against the All Blacks at the Stade de France — becoming the first side to win four World Cup titles — demonstrated not only their skills on the field but grit, courage and determination.
The victory has united the nation, albeit temporarily, muting the unceasing, divisive national discourse about collapsing service delivery, crime, load-shedding, corruption and political shenanigans. The collective “gees” was electrifying after the final whistle as people from all walks of life hugged, shook hands and celebrated well into Sunday.
Tens of thousands are expected to gather in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban as the team takes the coveted Webb Ellis trophy on a series of victory parades — a welcome antidote to the booing and torrent of abuse directed at the Boks on social media during the tournament.
Let us not forget how this win brought people together, it proved that we can be united as a people, regardless of our perceived differences.
All of which brings into sharp focus why the Springboks appear to have been “snubbed” after their gutsy win, just one day later at the World Rugby Awards in Paris.
Despite Jacques Nienaber being nominated for coach of the year, flyhalf Manie Libbok for breakthrough player of the year and Eben Etzebeth as player of the year — none of them made the cut. Nienaber lost out to Ireland coach Andy Farrell, whose team failed to dash past the quarterfinals.
Etzebeth was the only South African player to be nominated for the World Rugby’s Men’s Dream Team for 2023, which understandably left many rugby enthusiasts at home scratching their heads in disbelief.
SuperSport’s Brenden Nel summed up the mood in a tweet: “SA won 16 of their last 18, played five of the top six at the World Cup and only one player in a dream team? It’s not about who should fall out, but it is extremely eye-catching that only one player is in. We all have our favourites, and World Rugby has theirs.”
Nevertheless, there is much to celebrate as skipper Siya Kolisi takes his triumphant team and the trophy on a victory tour this week. Let us not forget how this win brought people together, it proved that we can be united as a people, regardless of our perceived differences.
We also welcome the government’s decision to mark the occasion with a public holiday on December 15, after the final matric exams are over. There is no December 16 public holiday this year because it falls on a Saturday, so hopefully this date will allay some economists’ fears over the financial disadvantages of another public holiday.
While some in the rugby world may try to dilute South Africa’s achievements, we as a nation appreciate the Springboks’ journey and we should take some moments to celebrate it.
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