The best quotes, clips, dances and pics from South Africa's inspired victory
Springboks celebrate their Rugby World Cup win
It was a special moment, seeing Siya Kolisi and South Africa lift the Webb Ellis trophy. Their 32-12 victory over England was a stunning demonstration of set-piece power and bullying defence, but also cunning – it was not as obstinate or predictable a display from the Springboks as we had been told to expect and for the first time ever South Africa scored a try (two in fact) in a World Cup final. It was poignant to see what the win meant, after.
Related: Springboks win Rugby World Cup powered by hope of a nation
But with any rugby team, the serious stuff was mixed in with the fun, joking and drinking and there was even dancing, dignitaries and royalty thrown into the mix.
Great scenes from as @Springboks sing and dance in the changing room after winning the final at Rugby World Cup 2019#RWC2019 #RWCFinal #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/sI9cScfXq7
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019
Just look at the joy. It can be infectious.
Hooker Bongi Mbonambi said immediately after the game that: “We can’t wait to get home to see our loved ones. We knew that this final means a lot to the country, and to us personally. You could see what 1995 and 2007 did, what kind of impact it had on the country.
![Springboks celebrate their Rugby World Cup win](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/GettyImages-1179438398-630x420.jpg)
Great day: South African president Cyril Ramaphosa was there (Getty Images)
“So, we hope we will have the same impact with this trophy. We can’t wait. We are so excited to bring the trophy home. We are representing the whole nation that needs hope, and we really pray they get hope from this.”
Ultimate respect between two warriors ?????????
Kolisi + Curry ?#ITVRugby #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/ZQhfnOCt1B
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) November 2, 2019
Duane Vermeulen echoed Mbonambi’s sentiments, saying: “We were doing it for each other, but we’re also doing it for 57 million people back home in South Africa.
“We wanted to be consistent as a team and try to achieve something and, in a way, trying to create hope in the end, so hopefully we achieved that goal tonight.”
There was also a lot of love for skipper Kolisi afterwards.
Related: Siya Kolisi’s journey from township to Test star
Prop Steven Kitshoff told the press: “He’s an incredible captain. You see that from playing junior levels back in the Stormers and the way he’s grown as a player.
Congratulations to captain @Siya_Kolisi and @Springboks .What a performance. I’m sure my wife’s family back in Johannesburg & Cape Town will be loving life
Enjoy my friends ???— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) November 2, 2019
“He leads by example. He doesn’t hold anything back. He gets his team to follow him and put in the effort every week. He knows how to take control of every situation.”
And there were some brilliant moments for families and loved ones.
What is impossible with man is possible with God.
This is for you South Africa, one team one dream? pic.twitter.com/o4tOrgZPi7
— cheslin kolbe (@Cheslin_Kolbe11) November 2, 2019
![Springboks celebrate their Rugby World Cup win](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/GettyImages-1179438350-630x420.jpg)
Embrace: Damian de Allende of South Africa with his partner (Gallo Images)
Fans and compatriots around the world also made their feelings clear.
The @Springboks won and South Africa celebrated ?
Watch the incredible reactions from across the rainbow nation ??#RWC2019 #WebbEllisCup #MyRugbyMoment pic.twitter.com/zRjYnkkTes
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019
To say we’re proud would be an understatement. Congrats to a team that many wrote off just a year ago. Our captain took criticism from all sides but today, the Springboks are back on top of the world. Well done Bokke. You have made us all proud. #rugbyworldcup2019 #southafrica pic.twitter.com/ETHS1w4b2T
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) November 2, 2019
What a day !!! Our heroes !!!!! Thank you Springboks !!! ??? #strongertogether https://t.co/AutFiHMBJq
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) November 2, 2019
So so so PROUD!!!
My comrade, OUR CAPTAIN!!!
Thank you for inspiring in a way which transcends the four lines and transforms a nation!! ????????#RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/ehGdpaIWaN
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) November 2, 2019
And we got a royal visit too!
![Springboks celebrate their Rugby World Cup win](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/GettyImages-1179449612-630x420.jpg)
Royal visit: Tendai Mtawarira with Prince Harry of England (Getty Images)
The team sounded their appreciation and looked to the future…
?? This one is for you, South Africa#StrongerTogether #RWC2019Champions pic.twitter.com/BVFC1LkF1p
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 2, 2019
But after that it was all about celebrating together!
![Springboks celebrate their Rugby World Cup win](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/GettyImages-1179449642-630x420.jpg)
Bit of fizz: Frans Steyne gets doused (Getty Images)
![Springboks celebrate their Rugby World Cup win](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/GettyImages-1185031384-602x450.jpg)
Lock stock: Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman and Eben Etzebeth (Getty Images)
What's one of the first things you do when you win the #WebbEllisCup? Fill it up and drink from it.
It's been 12 years but @Springboks know how it's done.#RWC2019 #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/mNTIp52Byn
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019
![Springboks celebrate their Rugby World Cup win](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/GettyImages-1179438410-630x420.jpg)
Time to slow down: Lethal try-scorer Makazole Mapimpi (Getty Images)
Nothing to see here… Just the #RWC2019 winning coach 'rehydrating' ??? @Springboks ? #RWCFinal #ENGvRSA #RWCYokohama #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/AoffO4Ukfz
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019
![Springboks celebrate their Rugby World Cup win](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/11/GettyImages-1185036509-630x423.jpg)
Snatch a shot: Cheslin Kolbe takes a candid photo (Getty Images)
There will be some sore heads today!
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