OR Tambo International Airport was a sea of green and gold on Tuesday, 31 October.
Mzansi welcomed home four-time Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, who returned to South Africa after a narrow victory over the All Blacks at the Stade de France on Saturday, 28 October.
South Africans braved the wet and cold weather to give the winning team a hero's welcome.
Scroll through the gallery below:
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said he hopes this victory will last beyond the weeks of celebrations.
"We have to do more. It has been very difficult for us. For 20 weeks we set with the same people," Siya said.
He was speaking at a press conference shortly after landing in Joburg.
Kolisi was flanked by Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber, who spoke about the important role of players' wives and partners.
"It's easy for partners to get jealous, but that hasn't happened. They have to pick up the pieces when (their husbands/partners) are not selected. The wives whose partners were not chosen have been leading the parties. It's an incredible group of people."
Kolisi speaking about diversity: "It's not about numbers. It's about people and understanding each other's culture. And Eben ululating. You can call him for bookings." #DailySun #SNL24 #SpringboksRWC pic.twitter.com/F43LrXYo8M
— Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) October 31, 2023
Nienaber: It broke my heart leaving Manie out (of the final). That is the worst part of the job - telling players that they are not selected. I believe Manie has the ability to be the future. He and Damien Willemse. He (Manie) lost out because a 7-1 split we believed was the way… pic.twitter.com/5ra4jTVCC2
— Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) October 31, 2023
Siya Kolisi, like the gentleman that he is, encourages fans to give Jordie Barrett a break: There was a video of Jordie Barrett not shaking the president's hand. It's tough losing a World Cup final. I know him very well. He's not that kind of person. That video was obviously…
— Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) October 31, 2023
