Thousands have flooded the streets of South Africa’s capital as the nation’s rugby team begin a World Cup victory tour.
The Springboks won the tournament for a record fourth time last weekend – and the nation is still in celebration mode.
Fans decked in the team colours packed Pretoria’s roads on Thursday to get a glimpse of their champions.
The team will spend four days travelling across the country.
A rugby fan with her face painted with the South African flag at Union Buildings on November 02, 2023 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Fans of all ages have gone to the parade
They kicked off the tour at Union Buildings, the seat of government.
From a balcony, the team and President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed a rapturous crowd.
South African rugby team wave to supporters during the Springboks Champions trophy tour at Church Square in Pretoria on November 2, 2023
The team will spend four days travelling on their open-top bus
“Saturday night, you strode off the pitch of victory and passed into legend,” said Mr Ramaphosa, who has declared a public holiday on December 15 to celebrate the win.
“In doing so you have lifted the spirits of an entire nation and filled us with pride. You have united the South African people.”
Fans line the route during the Rugby World Cup 2023 Springbok Trophy Tour in on
The president is among many who have hailed the Springbok’s feat as a sign of hope amid a testing period for South Africa.
The country is currently suffering rolling blackouts, economic strife and the world’s highest unemployment rate.
Springbok Rugby team captain Siya Kolisi (C) and the rest of the team greet the crowd as part of the trophy parade after the Springbok team won the 2023 Rugby World Cup, in Pretoria, South Africa, 02 November 2023.
Siya Kolisi (centre), the Springboks’ first black Test captain, dedicated the trophy to “the people of South Africa”
Ntombizodwa Barry, one of many who turned out to see the squad, said: “After seeing the Springboks, I was very, very much happy.
“They brought unity to our country, especially [winger] Cheslin Kolbe, [captain] Siyamthanda Kolisi… all of them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Kolisi, the Springboks’ first black Test captain, dedicated the trophy to “the people of South Africa” on Thursday.
“We are very diverse, just like you are outside there and we just wanted to show that diversity is our strength,” he said.
For 90 years Springbok selectors chose only white players and consequently the team was reviled as a symbol of apartheid.
Thursday’s jubilant scenes demonstrate that this more inclusive team have captured hearts across South Africa.
Later on Thursday, the Springboks will visit Johannesburg and its township of Soweto. They will go to Cape Town on Friday, Durban on Saturday and East London on Sunday.