Springbok captain John Smit said he was ”overwhelmed” by the reception the national team received at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday.
”What we walked into was far beyond what we ever imagined,” Smit said.
Speaking at a press conference shortly after the Springbok team’s arrival, coach Jake White said their victory was a team effort, but he did single out some players.
”You can be the best coach in the world — but if you don’t have a good captain you cannot be a good coach,” White said.
He also praised the two senior players in the team — Percy Montgomery and Os du Randt. ”They are going to be remembered in the history books as legends of the game,” he said.
Earlier, the Boks struggled to wade through the throngs of exuberant supporters and well-wishers, many of whom were singing Shosholoza and blowing on vuvuzelas.
Smit led the team to a stage outside the airport where thousands of supporters had gathered from as early as 4am.
The Springboks were all smiles as they were greeted at the gate by Deputy Sports Minister Gert Oosthuizen and several other dignitaries.
The Boks were crowned champions for the second time after beating former champions England 15-6 in the World Cup final in Paris on Saturday.
Before the team arrived, the boisterous crowd broke into Ole ole ole ole under the watchful eye of hundreds of police officers who formed a tight cordon between the international arrivals hall and the designated fans’ area.
Radio stations conducted interviews and newspaper companies handed out posters congratulating the best rugby team in the world.
A large contingent of pupils from Jeppe Boys High School -‒ Springbok coach Jake White’s alma mater -‒ was also on hand to welcome back the team.
”The whole school has been pretty electric in the last couple of weeks,” said English teacher Kevin Leathem.
White, who was a pupil, teacher and hostel master at the school, wrote an essay when he was a pupil in which he said would love to coach the Boks one day.
Braam van Vuuren, couch of Laerskool Florida’s under-12 rugby side, said he had brought his team along as a treat to meet their heroes. ”For the first time in their lives, they were ready before me,” he said.
A large group of supporters from Merafong in the North West said they had left at 2am to meet their heroes.
”It has united us and made us proud as a nation,” said Slums Magodielo as his colleagues toyi-toyied under a huge welcome banner. – Sapa