Pretoria CBD came to a standstill on Thursday morning when thousands of people came out to witness the Springboks rugby world cup trophy tour.
The Springboks’ trophy tour started in Pretoria, with President Cyril Ramaphosa greeting the champions and welcoming them at the Union Buildings.
Thousands of people flood the streets of Pretoria wearing their Springbok T-shirts in support of the champions.
The trophy tour moved to Tshwane House where the city of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink and city officials welcomed the world champion.
The rugby team took to the streets in an open bus parading the Web Ellis trophy to residents in Pretoria and Johannesburg.
President Cyril Ramaphosa greeted the Rugby World Cup champions as they arrived.
In his speech President Cyril Ramaphosa praised them for becoming the first team to win four Rugby World Cup trophies when they defeated New Zealand last Saturday.
Ramaphosa has lauded the South African rugby team, the Springboks for lifting the name of the African continent.
“The Springboks victory has brought unity among South Africans and have lifted the spirits of an entire nation and filled us with pride,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said people who haven’t even followed rugby before or been interested in the game are now talking with confidence about srums, rucks, drop kicks and tries.
The performance of the Springboks in this year’s rugby world cup has capture people’s imagination and energized them in a way not seen in a long time.
“We are celebrating the glory of the Springboks and the glory that did not come easy and glory that is richly deserved.
The Springboks are a potent symbol of just how far we have come as a people,” he said.
He said a nation of free and equal people. That is the vision we laid out in 1994 and one that we will continue to strive towards realising.
“It is an awesome day in the capital city; the Boks have brought the Webb Ellis cup to Tshwane.
Congrats to the boys we are very proud of you,” Brink said.
“I skipped work today to come and celebrate the victory of the Springboks and I’m happy to be here and I have seen the cup and it’s beautiful,” Amber Rosenville.
Mahlodi Segopotso said the Springboks are the champion and they deserve our supports and being here means a lot to her.
