By Johnnie Isaac

Buffalo City residents came out in their thousands in support of the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup victory tour. Residents packed the streets wearing Springboks colours, singing, ululating, blowing vuvuzelas and waving South African flags as the team bus moved from town to suburbs, townships and back to the team hotel. 

Some stood on roof tops, on their house balconies and on top of their cars to get a glimpse of the team. 

Hundreds of people made their way in the early hours of the morning to East London Garden Court Hotel where the Boks were camping after arrival in Buffalo City last night.

The team Captain Siya Kolisi took time to greet the fans and grant selfie moments before the Boks embarked on their victory parade which began from outside the hotel through East London Beachfront to the first stop at the East London City Hall.

The team received a warm welcome from Buffalo City Metro deputy mayor Zoliswa Matana, Department of Sports, Arts and Recreation MEC Fezeka Bayeni, former Sports minister Thokozile Xasa and other government officials. 

The spotlight was on Buffalo City-born Springboks players, winger Malizole Mapimpi and centre Lukhanyo Am. The two said it was the messages of support from the people of Buffalo City and country wide that motivated them to give their all during the Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and England. Mapimpi said he is more excited about the team’s World Cup victory than him scoring the first ever Springboks try in a RWC cup final. He attributed the Springboks victory to team work, world class coaching and words of encouragements from the people of South Africa. 

It was the combination of Mapimpi and Am in Japan that resulted in that historic try. 
Mapimpi said: “I was thinking about winning the world cup as a team, [the try] was a bonus for me, I was excited to hear that after the game (that it was the first ever try) “.

He said he was not expecting his teammate Am to pass him the ball as he was closer to the lines than him. Am, who also comes from King Williams Town, said winning the world cup was a dream come true. He said it was his dream since he started playing school rugby to represent the country in the national team level.

“As a rugby player I used to wish and hope that one day I could play rugby at the best level that I could reach. I always gave myself a chance that I could reach this stage,” said Am. 

He said playing the world cup as someone who comes from Buffalo City will pave the way for many youngsters and senior rugby players from this region. 

It was a busy day for the two players and the rest of the team as they spent almost the entire day in the bus showing the Webb Ellis Trophy, followed by autographs and selfies with hundreds of supporters who found their way to the team.

After the East London tour the team rushed to the airport for their flight to Port Elizabeth where the victory parade continues on Sunday.