October 26, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
THEY'VE had a couple of days to recuperate, and now it's time for Joburg to welcome back the conquering rugby heroes in style, with a ticker tape parade through the city and Soweto.
Well-wishers have been urged to put on their green and gold again, wave their flags aloft, and trumpet their vuvuzelas as the winners of the Webb Ellis trophy ride across the CBD in an open-top double-decker bus – hoisting the coveted cup for everyone to see.
Not even the rain could dampend the rejoicing
The bus will travel slowly to allow everyone a chance to see the players and catch a glimpse of the trophy. The victory parade is estimated to start in Joburg about 2.15pm. The team breakfasted with the president at the Union Buildings earlier today, before parading through Pretoria.
The media have reported that rugby chiefs said at the Union Buildings this morning that the Boks would add Soweto to their nationwide World Cup victory parade after an outcry over a decision to bypass the country's biggest township.
SA Rugby president Oregan Hoskins reportedly said, "Tomorrow morning [Saturday, 27 October] our team, the coach, the manager, the captain … are going to Soweto."
On its Joburg leg, the parade will start at Vodaworld in Midrand, were John Smit and his squad will give a Springbok jersey to the Vodacom chief executive, Allan Knott-Craig.
The Springboks will then be taken along the M1 South to Rosebank, to lunch at the head offices of their sponsor, Sasol. From Rosebank, the bus will make its way back on to the M1 South, taking the Mooi Street offramp into the city centre.
"The City of Joburg is proud to welcome die Bokke and applaud them for their gallant display; [and also] for rekindling our pride and showing the world that we are a winning nation," said Nthatisi Modingoane, the City's media liaison officer.
"We congratulate the South African rugby team on their triumph. This clearly demonstrates that there is no such thing as great talent without great will power."
The convoy will travel along Anderson Street in the CBD, and turn right into Rissik Street towards Braamfontein, where it will drive around Metro Centre into De Korte Street. It will then proceed south into Bertha Street, cross Empire Road, and join the M1 North.
Welcoming the Boks home at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 23 October
Chief superintendent Wayne Minnaar, the spokesman for the Johannesburg metropolitan police department, said that his department would deploy hundreds of officers to escort the Springboks through Joburg. "We are going to have hundreds of officers to control the traffic and help our world champions to enjoy their Joburg tour."
The Springboks will then make their way to Bok City at Montecasino in Fourways, where a party will end the parade.
"We wish Amabokoboko well in all future rugby," Modingoane added.
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