The Springboks arrived in Johannesburg on Monday to a thunderous welcome from adoring fans, including South African President Jacob Zuma. While hundreds of fans gave the Boks a noisy welcome, it was the message of Zuma that carried the most weight.

Having won the Tri-Nations title for the first time since 2004 – to go along with the whitewash of the All Blacks, World Cup, a B&I Lions series victory, the Mandela Challenge Plate (for a 2-1 series win against Australia) and the Freedom Cup (beating the All Blacks 3-0) – Zuma told Smit and his men they did the country proud.

Before speaking, Zuma was presented with a team blazer. He removed his own jacket and put it on.

Smit also presented him with a number three jersey – the captain’s number.

“They make us proud… those countries that come to play them think twice before any game,” Zuma said, proudly wearing his Springbok blazer.

“I can’t remember a Boks team that beat New Zealand in succession, proving once more that indeed we are the best,” he said as the crowd roared in approval.

“The Springboks are special citizens of South Africa,” added Zuma.

“They are a very special part of our country and I had to be here to welcome back the heroes who make the country special. They make us proud when they play [at home] and when they play over there.

“We were all glued to our TVs watching you. I watched the game on Saturday on television and at one point when I wanted to jump into the game to help the team.

“I felt there was something I should do. We saw things that were magical: a drop kick from so far away that nearly made it.”

The heroic Springboks were welcomed back to home soil on Monday by a variety of fans reflecting the popularity of the world champions across the country.

Smit said it was a huge honour to be welcomed by President Zuma.

“It is very special,” Smit said of being crowned the Tri-Nations champions.

“It was good to come back having won the game [against New Zealand in Hamilton at the weekend].

“It wouldn’t have been as good to wait for the result of the next match [between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington this coming Saturday].

“We really wanted to make sure we could win it and celebrate in the proper manner. To come back and be received by the president is really over the top for us, it means a helluva lot to us.”

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers echoed his captain’s words about the honour of having President Zuma welcome the Boks.

Among the supporters was Britney De Freitas who travelled from Boksburg with her mother and sisters to get an autograph for their dad.

“We came to get them to sign my dad’s book,” she said, adding that Springbok captain John Smit did his grade one at the same primary school she attended.

Others came from Pretoria and Lenasia to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

They sang Pieter Koen’s ‘Eina Eina’ as they waited.

Another supporter was Alex Dube, who left work at the East Rand Mall early to beat the traffic in order to see his sporting idols.

“It’s been a phenomenal couple of weeks, we really appreciate the support we are getting,” Smit said.

Source + Pic: rugby365.com

Tags: jacob zuma, Springboks