South African players, recent world rugby champions, were welcomed at Johannesburg airport by numerous supporters on Tuesday. The start of a party that will extend across the country with the tour of captain Siya Kolisi and his teammates.
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With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Roman Song
Thousands of people gathered to wait for the Springboks this Tuesday, October 31. The world rugby champions arrived at Johannesburg airport late in the morning. The crowd shouted the name of Siya Kolisi, the beloved Springbok captain who had tied the South African flag around his neck like a cape. The rugby players were received like heroes. Legends, superstars… All these adjectives suit them well. They filled the Johannesburg airport as if they had filled a stadium.
There were people on every floor, the South African nation in its diversity, united behind the green and gold colors of the Springboks. Jerseys, hats, caps, makeup, the dress code was scrupulously respected. The regional train even offered a ride to the airport if you were dressed as a fan. One of them confided that the fervor was even stronger than in 2019. Because with this fourth World Cup victory – this second in a row – these Springboks have just entered the pantheon of South African rugby.
For frustrated fans, who weren’t able to see them this Tuesday, it’s only a postponement; On Thursday, the Boks begin a tour of the country’s major cities. It will start with Pretoria, Soweto and Johannesburg where they will parade in the FNB Stadium, with 90,000 seats.