World champions South Africa began showing off their trophy as they started a nationwide tour on Thursday, with captain Siya Kolisi dedicating the victory to the people of his country.
The Springboks beat England 32-12 in Saturday’s final for their third World Cup triumph, paving the way for a five-day celebration.
Beginning in Pretoria alongside president Cyril Ramaphosa, Kolisi told the crowd that the support of ordinary South Africans had been “the most important thing”.
“Thank you, South Africa, this is for you,” he said, while Ramaphosa joked he was grateful it had not coincided with an election year or he’d lose to the team, such is their popularity.
The Springboks were also travelling through Johannesburg and Soweto and then to Durban on Friday, East London on Saturday and Port Elizabeth on Sunday before reaching Cape Town on Monday.
After landing home, coach Rassie Erasmus said: “We really wish we could go everywhere to thank our supporters, but constraints don’t allow for that to happen this time."
