{"id":48124,"date":"2023-11-07T10:02:39","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T08:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/thank-you-for-uniting-behind-us-springboks-pay-homage-to-cape-town-fans-20231107\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T21:43:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T19:43:15","slug":"thank-you-for-uniting-behind-us-springboks-pay-homage-to-cape-town-fans-20231107","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/thank-you-for-uniting-behind-us-springboks-pay-homage-to-cape-town-fans-20231107\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Thank you for uniting behind us’: Springboks pay homage to Cape Town fans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Rugby World Cup champions have been on their victory tour since Thursday 2 November, after successfully defending their Webb Ellis Trophy in France, a week ago. Excited supporters gathered outside the Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel in the Citybowl, where the players stayed, since early on Friday to spot their heroes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThank you for your support and for standing united behind us. That drives us to be united as a team too. We want to encourage you to keep believing in us and keep working to be as united as you are,\u201d Springboks Captain Siya Kolisi told thousands of supporters gathered at the Grand Parade for a glimpse of their heroes on Friday 3 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rugby World Cup champions have been on their victory tour since Thursday 2 November, after successfully defending their Webb Ellis Trophy in France, a week ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excited supporters gathered outside the Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel in the Citybowl, where the players stayed, since early on Friday to spot their heroes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nur-Ali Baderoen from Strand says: \u201cEveryone played hard. They are uniting the people once again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donovan Arrow explains that he drove all the way from De Doorns, in Breede Valley, to catch a glimpse of his favourite rugby stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zipho Shabangu, Ammarah Shabangu, Zenani Mabinza, Zingisile Bam and Zubaida Shabangu travelled from Gugulethu.<\/div>\n
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Excited supporters from left; Immanuel Fillies, Nur-Ali Baderoen, Alroy Petersen, Donovan Arrow and Heinrich Hendricks. <\/div>\n
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Scores of people flocked to the streets in Langa as the Springboks paraded through the area.<\/div>\n
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Siya Kolisi addresses the crowd at the Grand Parade. <\/div>\n
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Cheslin Kolbe takes selfies with the crowd.<\/div>\n
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The Springboks greeted their fans on the Grand Parade.PHOTOS: KAYLYNNE BANTOM<\/div>\n
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Thousands of Springboks supporters flocked to the Grand Parade.<\/div>\n
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A concert was held at the Parade before the team made their way on an open bus through the CBD, Langa, Bonteheuwel and Valhalla Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kolisi had the crowd roaring at the parade when he greeted them in true Cape Town slang, saying \u201cAwe masekinders (Hello, friends).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the support that rugby receives in the Western Cape \u201cis second to none.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you for your support and for standing united behind us. That drives us to be united as a team too. We want to encourage you to keep believing in us and keep working to be as united as you are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He adds: \u201cBefore we played coach Rassie told us, it\u2019s not about our team anymore, it\u2019s about you, the people. So, I hope we\u2019ve made you proud. I really believe once we work together and make sure we think of each other, we can do a lot. We appreciate you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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