With the melting pot of different cultures in the Springbok team, Captain Siya Kolisi has attributed winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup to the champions working together in pursuit of inspiring the nation.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Addressing a media briefing upon their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport from France, Kolisi thanked South Africans for supporting the team during the tournament and dedicated the win to people who want to achieve their dreams regardless of their circumstances.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to make sure that this win was for the people of South Africa because of the diversity in our team. We all come from different walks of life and different races. This trophy is for people who come from tough circumstances and disadvantaged areas\u2026 who want to make something out of their lives. This is for you because we also come from those environments. We want people to get a reference point to see how they can make it from their situation. It is also for people who come from rich homes,\u201d Kolisi said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The national team was welcomed at the airport by scores of jubilant South Africans donning the Springbok colours with hopes of getting a glimpse of the world champions. This is after they triumphed over New Zealand in the final match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament, beating New Zealand 12-11 on Saturday to lift the Webb Ellis Cup once more.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a team we had to learn [to work together]. We knew our cultures were different and that comes with differences amongst ourselves. We had a coaching staff who knew how to align us as a group; who knew how to put us together so we can focus towards a common goal, which was the Springboks and the people of South Africa.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cOur coaches taught us about taking care of each other and reminded us about our painful past, which some people have not healed from. We speak about it honestly amongst our team and talk about transformation. It is important to talk about healing from our past. We need to know the way forward; how do get better as South Africa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kolisi said transformation is about people changing internally; understanding each other\u2019s cultures and taking care of each other.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI know this win is going to inspire the country but it will not change people\u2019s circumstances. For us as players, it will give us a platform that can open opportunities through the work that we do with our foundations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa said the victory paid homage to President Nelson Mandela who had the vision that sport has the ability to unite.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cYour performance both on and off the field has represented you well as ambassadors of the country of our dreams, united as defined in the preamble of our Constitution,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
South Africans will get the opportunity to see the 2023 Rugby World Cup trophy in person when the Springboks embark on a four-day tour from Thursday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The tour has been meticulously planned to convey the team\u2019s appreciation and proudly showcase the trophy as it embarks on another four-year journey in South Africa.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The tour will start in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto \u2013 concluding at FNB Stadium \u2013 on Thursday, 2 November. It will then continue in Cape Town (Friday, 3 November) and Durban (Saturday, 4 November) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on Sunday, 5 November.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe locations have been selected for population size in the first three instances and because of the Eastern Cape\u2019s rugby significance in the fourth. Satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay and other centres will be scheduled for 2024. Such tours following the 2019 victory had to be abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe route for each tour has been prepared in consultation with the respective local authorities and the South African Police Service,\u201d SA Rugby said on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Route maps and timings will be published at www.springboks.rugby and on SA Rugby\u2019s social media channels and by local authorities.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Source: South African Government News Agency<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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