springboks

Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, holding the World Rugby Cup after his arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 5, 2019 – South Africa’s World Cup winning rugby squad arrived home on Tuesday to a heroes’ welcome and will be embarking on a nation wide Champions Tour. (Photo by Guillem Sartorio / AFP)

Kolisi shares how South Africa inspired the Boks to succeed

Siya Kolisi says the support from South Africans gave the Springboks an extra push in their Rugby World Cup triumph.

springboks

Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, holding the World Rugby Cup after his arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 5, 2019 – South Africa’s World Cup winning rugby squad arrived home on Tuesday to a heroes’ welcome and will be embarking on a nation wide Champions Tour. (Photo by Guillem Sartorio / AFP)

The Springboks arrived in trickles at OR Tambo International Airport to scores of adoring fans on Tuesday, but no cheer was as big as what greeted captain Siya Kolisi, who held the Webb-Ellis trophy aloft for all to see on arrival.

The skipper touched down a little later than was initially expected, alongside coach Rassie Erasmus.

How South Africa inspired the Springboks RWC success

The welcome they received at home will have given them a bit of the glimpse of the support thrown their way throughout the tournament.

According to Kolisi, the messages from South Africans were among the things that gave them that extra push to succeed.

“We won because we definitely wanted it a lot. I know they wanted it a lot. But, I must say, the people outside there and the people in here did help us a lot. It gave us another reason to fight even harder.”

Siya Kolisi

Kolisi had a special personal moment of his own, with his father in the crowd when he first hoisted the Webb-Ellis trophy.

It was his first overseas trip, and the Bok skipper was only too proud to make that happen.

“I was actually happy to have my dad there. I’m sure it was my dad’s dream to take me to these places, but he didn’t have the means. I’m really proud that he could be there, and it was special for me.

The group were set to arrive at the same time as their teammates, but “technical” issues saw their flight from Sydney, Australia delayed – touching down in Johannesburg at 19:00 instead.

The first group touched down around 17:00, with World Rugby Player of the Year, Pieter-Steph du Toit in the initial trip back, alongside cult-hero, Faf de Klerk and fellow halfback, Elton Jantjies. Also among the first to arrive was forwards coach, Matthew Proudfoot.

RWC trophy parade 

The public has a chance to catch a glimpse of the Webb-Ellis trophy, with the World Champions set to embark on a five-day tour to show off rugby’s grand prize.

The tour begins in Gauteng on Thursday, 7 November, with stops in Pretoria, Johannesburg, as well as Soweto.

The world champions are in Durban on Friday, and trek along the coast from Saturday to Monday, stopping off at East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town respectively.