‘This Reception Is Something Else,’ Says ‘Humbled’ Kolisi As Triumphant Springboks Return Home To Rapturous Celebrations

Riyaz Patel

“Humbled and grateful” is how Springbok captain Siya Kolisi reacted the homecoming laid out by thousands of boisterous South Africans as the newly-crowned RWC champions touched down at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg Tuesday.

The 31 players that did duty in Japan in the last two months arrived on three different flights after close to 40 hours of travel time from Tokyo.

Groups of Springbok players and management flew via Sydney and Abu Dhabi. More squad members are arriving on Wednesday.

The first group to arrive – which included World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, RWC final try-scorers Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi, as well as RWC final man of the match Duane Vermeulen –