Springbok captain Siya Kolisi strode through OR Tambo International Airport on Monday night a proud South African.
Clutching the Webb Ellis trophy that the Springboks won for the third time in Japan on Saturday, the Captain, coach Rassie Erasmus and the remaining team members, received a rousing welcome from the thousands of fans, many who gathered since 1pm.
Chants of Siya, Siya, echoed through the airport terminal before the crowd went ballistic when he entered the jam-packed arrivals hall, surrounded by police and airport staff while the national anthem rang out.
Speaking at a media briefing afterwards, Coach Rassie Erasmus, said the team enjoyed every single minute in Japan.
Flanked by Sports Minister, Nathi Mthetwa, Kolisi said “we won because we wanted it the more,” he said in response to a question from a British journalist but agreeing that England were also hungry.
He added that he knew it was much more than personal gain, but it was for the country.
Earlier in the day other team members arrived on two separate flights.
Meanwhile, Springbok stars Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Herschel Jantjies ,will be in action for the Barbarians when they take on Fiji for the Killik Cup at Twickenham, Sao Paolo in Brazil and Wales.
This as part of the invitational side’s November international tour.
In a twist, for their opening match against Fiji, they will be coached by World Cup finalist coach Eddie Jones, whose England team fell to the ruthless Springboks performance in the Rugby World Cup 2019 final in Yokohama last weekend.
(Additional reporting: ANA - Picture: AP/Themba Hadebe)
