The vibrant city of Durban played host to a jubilant celebration as thousands of residents clad in green and gold came together at the Garden Court uMhlanga, eager to honour the four-time Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.
The team, still basking in the glory of a thrilling victory over the All Blacks in France, initiated the Durban chapter of their victory tour this past weekend.
The early hours of Saturday saw the heroes’ arrival at King Shaka International Airport, followed by a parade to the hotel where a sea of fans, a live tapestry of the nation’s hopes and dreams, welcomed them with songs and spirited cheers.
The enthusiasm was tangible as the players transferred buses amidst a choir of adoration, despite the notable absence of their esteemed captain, Siya Kolisi, who was reportedly attending a family wedding.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube joined the throngs to commend the team, underscoring the Springboks’ triumph as more than just a sports victory.
“They have won more than the Webb Ellis Cup,” she declared, hailing the Springboks as a beacon of unity and patriotic enthusiasm, encapsulating the spirit of a nation determined to reset its focus on unity and pride.
The disappointment over Kolisi’s absence did little to dampen the spirits of the assembled masses, who revelled in the shared success of their national team—a team that has, time and again, illustrated the power of sport to unite and inspire a country renowned for its resilient spirit.
Pictured above: The Boks in Durban.
Image source: Springboks
