SOUTH AFRICA: RUGBY UNION - Springboks parade Rugby World Cup trophy through streets of Cape Town

Record ID: 455116

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: RUGBY UNION - Springboks parade Rugby World Cup trophy through streets of Cape Town
  • Date: 31st October 2007
  • Summary: FANS CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 15th November 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA87107GI442R6T7MBWKIIXY6IF
  • Story Text: Thousands of excited rugby fans lined the streets of Cape Town to welcome the Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks to the city. The Web Ellis cup will remain in Cape Town, at Rugby SA headquarters, until the next Rugby World Cup.
    South African rugby fans turned out in their tens of thousands on Monday (October 30) in Cape Town to salute the victorious Springboks on the final leg of their national victory tour. There were scenes of near-hysteria as the Boks made their way through the city centre in an open top bus.
    Businesses shut down, and young and old lined the streets, crammed onto balconies and even stood precariously on building ledges to get a view of their heroes.
    Thousands more fans made their way to Newlands Stadium, the home of rugby in the Western Cape, where captain John Smit later formally handed over the Webb Ellis trophy to SA Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins.
    There, one fan jumped the barrier and tried to snatch the cup from Bryan Habana's grasp. Security quickly pounced on him and he was dragged away.
    The Boks began the day with an appearance on the balcony of Cape Town's city hall - the same balcony from which former President Nelson Mandela delivered his first public address after his release from prison.
    Thousands of fans thronged the Grand Parade below the balcony, waving flags and cheering, as the air filled with ticker tape, gold foil and hundreds of gold and green balloons.
    Springbok captain John Smit, holding up the Webb Ellis Trophy, told the crowd that it had been a "huge privilege" to represent the country in the world cup.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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