A vibrant and electrifying atmosphere took over the city center of Pretoria on Thursday as thousands of enthusiastic fans came together to celebrate the victorious Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok team.
The heart of the action was Madiba Street, right in front of Tshwane House, where the crowd eagerly awaited the iconic roofless bus carrying the South African national rugby heroes.
In the spirit of unity and excitement, traffic momentarily stood still as the metro police cordoned off Madiba Street, granting Springbok supporters an up-close encounter with their beloved champions.
On that magnificent roofless bus, the Springbok team and their management proudly showcased the coveted Rugby World Cup trophy. They enthusiastically lifted it in triumph, sharing the joy with the ecstatic fans lining the streets.
The journey began shortly after 08:00 from the Springboks’ hotel in Arcadia, passing by the Union Buildings and Loftus Versfeld before making its grand arrival at Tshwane House via Sunnyside and Church Square.
The Springboks appeared to be on a tight schedule, in line with the plan communicated by the Tshwane City Council. According to the schedule, the team was to spend half an hour at Tshwane House, meeting with the honorable Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink.
As anticipation built, the Tshwane Ceremonial Band, positioned on the steps in front of Tshwane House, added to the excitement. Upon the arrival of the bus, they played the upbeat tune of Leon Schuster’s hit, “Hier kom die Bokke,” intensifying the joyous atmosphere. Some of the players on the bus couldn’t resist and openly sang along to Schuster’s song, further fueling the festive spirit.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi stepped off the bus with the Web Ellis Cup right in front of Tshwane House. He proudly paraded the trophy while engaging with the thousands of fans gathered in the street and even on the rooftop of the Sammy Marks Building across from Tshwane House.
After this spectacular moment, Captain Kolisi returned to the bus, and Mayor Brink was invited to join him on the street next to the bus. Amidst the deafening cheers of supporters, they exchanged a few words, forging a memorable connection.
Following this heartfelt meeting, the Springboks reboarded the bus, and Mayor Brink conducted a brief interview with a TV station on the steps of Tshwane House.
With a farewell wave, the Springbok team embarked on their journey, disappearing down the street with the assistance of the traffic police. The celebration left a lasting impression on the city of Pretoria, as fans continued to revel in the excitement of their World Cup champions.
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