Screams, tears and ululations were order of the day as four-time Ruby World Cup champions touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport this morning. Supporters braved the cold and rainy Gauteng weather to get a first-hand look at the trophy. A crowd wearing green and gold waved the South African flag, some with banners written ?Hier Kom die Bokke' (Here come the Boks) filling up Terminal A at OR Tambo International Airport to welcome the national rugby team. 

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN!

Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi raced across the terminal passing security and police officials gripping tightly the Webb Ellis Cup with both hands. The fans and supporters have been anxiously waiting since Saturday night's win for the bokke to land and welcome them home. "You did it, boys! You did it again!" an old lady screamed as Siya took selfies with the roaring crowd. The Springbok arrived pushing their trollies across the terminal, waving, smiling with pride.Nomcebo and Master KG's Jerusalema belted through the airport speakers, Siya and the team screamed in joy to be home. "Yeeeaaahhhh!" 

GRATITUDE

South Africa triumphed over New Zealand in the final match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament, beating them 12-11 on Saturday to lift the Webb Ellis Cup once more. Addressing the media after the victory, Siya thanked South Africans for the support. "On behalf of the team, we would like to say thank you to the people of South Africa. It's been a long and tough 20 weeks. When they first came (the coaching team), they didn't think we would win the 2019 World Cup," Siya said.

"Obviously, things changed, and we just got better and better in 2019. People were hopeful in 2019, but this time around, we felt the expectation that we would retain the World Cup." He said, "This time we could feel that people expected us to win with the videos on social media. After training, we would see the videos. We decided, it's not about us anymore. We always played for South Africa but we wanted to make sure that this one is for South Africa, every single person in South Africa- rich or poor, it doesn't matter." The Minister of Sport, Art and Culture, Zizi Kodwa said we need to celebrate the diversity in the national team. "Let us keep that spirit," he said. "The spirit is to celebrate the win You have been true ambassadors."

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