RWC 2023 HOMECOMING
Boks reignite hopes of a united South Africa as thousands gather to welcome world champs home
Beyond making history as the first national team to win the Rugby World Cup four times, the Springboks’ victory has reignited a sense of unity and patriotism for South Africans from all walks of life.
‘I remember that 1995 World Cup,” said politician Dennis Bloem. “It was exactly what we see now – that the people are united.”
Bloem, speaking to Daily Maverick at OR Tambo International Airport, was among thousands of supporters who made sure they were at the international arrivals terminal on Tuesday morning to get a glimpse of the Springboks right after they broke the record for most Rugby World Cup wins last Saturday in Paris.
Undeterred by the cold and rain, proud supporters wearing green and gold poured in, singing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.
Siya Kolisi at OR Tambo International Airport on 31 October 2023. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
As the team emerged through the sliding doors, led by captain Siya Kolisi holding the Webb Ellis Cup aloft, they were met by a sea of fans, packed together on the ground floor and lined along all three tiers of the terminal to get a closer look at the players.
Read more in Daily Maverick: Rugby World Cup 2023
Beyond making history as the first national team to win the Rugby World Cup four times, the defending world champions’ victory has reignited a sense of unity and patriotism in South Africans from all walks of life.
Plagued by crippling socioeconomic problems, high levels of crime and unfettered unemployment, South Africa’s problems usually feel insurmountable. But the Boks’ victory was a reminder of the country’s potential.
Rainbow memories
Annalena, who travelled from Benoni with her son Rodrigo, said: “This has created such unity in our country. Sometimes we can just be so divided and yet there is so much reason for us to be together and work together because together we can make this place the awesome place that it is. Being here reminds me of the rainbow nation we were promised in 1994.”
Tetelo Rammala, who had travelled from Limpopo to greet the Boks, told Daily Maverick she could not miss the opportunity because there is a lot the nation can learn from the Springboks’ victory:
“We can learn to be one. It’s like all the South Africans are united, like we are one, because of the Boks.”
Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa, Bok captain Siya Kolisi and coach Jacques Nienaber at a media briefing at OR Tambo International Airport on 31 October 2023. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Also in the crowd was Thabo Moloja, spokesperson for Gauteng’s MEC for sport, who said that “for us, the Boks winning, we’ve been saying that it has improved the happiness index of the country. It has united our people across all races, across all ages. Our country is happy, the Boks have made us proud – especially this year, given what we’ve just come from.”
Another supporter, Celani Gabuza, said: “You try to capture their journey throughout their tournament, and you [realise] to never give up in every moment – the last three matches in particular, one-point winning margins – and they never stopped believing… How much can we do when we believe?”
The Boks’ victory tour kicks off on Thursday in Pretoria, visiting Cape Town and Durban and ending in the Eastern Cape on Sunday. DM
Springbok fans at OR Tambo International Airport on 31 October 2023. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Fans wait for the Boks at OR Tambo International Airport. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Siya Kolisi holding the trophy at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The Springboks beat New Zealand in the final on Saturday, winning their 4th Rugby World Cup. 31 October 2023. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Fans gather at OR Tambo International Airport to welcome the Springboks home after winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
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We can have a prosperous and united country or we can have a divisive, corrupt criminal conspiracy running our country. We can’t have both. Time to choose South Africa.
Amen
Lovely to see the united enthusiasm.
May it long continue. Siya and the team have made us all proud.
It’s so good to see this, and I’m loving the spirit of hope and love. Realistically though? We cannot expect the Boks to win a championship every four years, and we also can’t expect these temporary endorphin and dopamine rushes to outlast the currently criminal degree of incompetence and graft, and failure to deliver services. It is time to put that spirit of hope and possibility into voting for a party that genuinely has a plan to improve people’s lives. (And honestly, that sign was probably a joke but if Zelensky is any example, I reckon SA could do a lot worse than having Sia for President – he certainly has the leadership skills and understands the importance of having the right team around him).
Sometimes God uses minuscule moments to get our attention & at other times He uses people like our Big Boks to really get our attention!. #unityindiversity #OneSouthAfrica
yes, mr bloem.
i also remember the united-sa in 1995.
how did it work out for us?
and why will it be different this time?