Huge show of support as Boks return
10 October 2011
Springbok supporters responded en masse to the call by Brand South Africa and Lead SA, gathering in their thousands at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on Monday afternoon to welcome the Springboks home after their exit from the Rugby World Cup.
The airport's arrivals hall was a sea of green and gold as men, women and children waving the South African flag and brandishing placards reading "Welcome home Boks" and "Our blood's still green" jostled to catch a glimpse of captain John Smit, coach Peter de Villiers and some of the other senior players on their arrival.
Smit, De Villiers and Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula were due to address a press conference at the airport.
'Made us proud'
"Despite their loss the Springbok team has made the South African nation proud," Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola said in a statement after Sunday's quarterfinal match in Wellington where, despite the Springboks' domination of the game, the Wallabies escaped with an 11-9 victory.
"Throughout the country, indeed throughout the world, millions of South Africans have played their part by waving our flag with hope and wearing our jersey with pride," Matola said.
"Once again we have demonstrated the unifying and uplifting power of sport. Indeed, we are world-renowned not just for sporting excellence but for showing how sport can unite a nation and make history."
Interviewed on the field after the game, Springbok captain John Smit said: "It's just sad the way it ended. It really was a ding-dong battle between two good teams.
Asked how it felt to lose a match his team had dominated so much, Smit said: "It makes it hurt that much more. We really went in at half-time saying we need to hold onto the ball and get through phases. We did that and were patient.
"You know, a couple of missed opportunities, a drop kick, a try with Fourie [du Preez], a forward pass to Patty [Lambie]. We did enough to win this game, but we just weren't accurate enough."
'Keep the spirit alive'
Matola said that South Africans living in Zealand, along with those who had made the journey to watch the World Cup, had "further enhanced our reputation for friendliness, passion and pride in our nation.
"As Brand South Africa, we call upon every South African to continue to keep the pride, passion and spirit of our Rugby World Cup campaign alive."
SAinfo reporter
