Several hundred boisterous fans turned out to greet their Springbok heroes upon the Boks’ arrival at Johannesburg International airport on Monday evening.
A 20-member choir was on hand to sing Shosholoza as the Boks emerged through the gate, while a large crowd, many sporting Springbok caps, jerseys and flags, clapped and screamed each time a Bok emerged.
The scene was a far cry from that which greeted the Boks a little more than 18 months ago — when they returned after an ignominious exit from the 2003 Rugby World Cup at the hands of the self-same All Blacks.
It was not even that the jeers had turned into cheers because the World Cup party was only met by a handful of fans, most of them family members.
On Monday, it was evident that under Jake White and John Smit this Springbok team had finally returned pride and passion to the game, and the road to the 2007 Rugby World Cup needed both men at the helm.
The change in fortunes of the Boks between then and now was incredibly stark and not lost on either the coach or the captain.
”What this team has achieved in the last 18 months is huge,” a visibly pleased White told journalists at a press conference.
In typical fashion, though, he was quick to temper that comment with a more sobering thought.
”This is without a doubt the right 30 [players] we can build on. We have already gone from number six [in the world rankings] to number two, but we have seen that becoming number one requires a bit extra, and that is something we will have to work on.”
Smit echoed his coach’s sentiments and lauded White for making the atmosphere in the Bok camp more relaxed.
”To become number one [in the world] doesn’t just happen. We gave ourselves a chance, but didn’t take it.
”There has been a huge improvement in the last 18 months,” he agreed, ”and Jake is to be complimented on creating the good vibe.
”It is so much more enjoyable to be a Bok [than it was 18 months ago].”
The Springboks defied the odds for the second successive year and, after winning both their home Tri-Nations games, grabbed the elusive away win they treasured with victory over Australia in Perth.
Smit led his team to within minutes of victory over New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, but succumbed to a late try by hooker Keven Mealamu. Despite the loss, the Boks are still in with a shout of retaining their trophy, but need a favour from the beleaguered Wallabies — with no less than 17 injury concerns — who face the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.
Anything less than an Australian victory will hand the All Blacks their sixth title in 10 years.
White, though, is virtually resigned to the fact that the Boks have surrendered the title to the All Blacks.
”It’s fair to say stranger things have happened,” mused White,” but I can’t see Australia with all the injury problems and so on pulling it off against the best team in the world.”
The Boks’ attention, meanwhile, now turns to the Currie Cup, although White has requested that several players be given a chance to rest their weary legs. Who exactly will be given a much-deserved holiday — and for how long — remains to be seen. — Sapa