Four our nation: We are the champs

On top of the world, giant-slayers, champions, heroes.

Magicians, masters of getting out of jail. 

Let the superlatives rain down on our glorious rugby squad, for they deserve them all. And more.

In 80 tense minutes at Paris's Stade de France, the Springboks played like a team who knew how much it meant to those at home across the country, black and white, rich and poor.

For a moment there, as President Cyril Ramaphosa celebrated with Siya Kiolisi and his brave warriors, a nation allowed itself to forget, and to hope again.

With a record-breaking four World Cups under our belt, and as the nation looked back on a month in which the South African flag flew high for all to see, forgotten was the load-shedding, corruption, crime, poor governance and greed that have sullied the hopes and dreams that animated us in 1994.

The Boks allowed us to dare to dream once again.

They flipped the statistics on their head as they went up 2-0 against the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup finals. Not bad for a team that trails New Zealand 40-62 in total matches played.

If New Zealand were looking to avenge their 1995 defeat at Ellis Park 28 years ago, in front of president Nelson Mandela, they’ll have to wait longer.

And yet the All Blacks will feel they lost it more than the Boks won it, with fans driven to the edge with a third consecutive one-point victory.

Put it down to heart, or even a residue of Madiba magic from nearly three decades ago, but the Boks never threw in the towel, even when they looked beaten in the second half.

It was that gees that had fans streaming to centres around the country to watch the team give one final push.

At Loftus Park the smell of braaivleis and thumping music added to the vibe, and when the All Blacks did their pre-match Haka, many fans stood up and sang old struggle songs.

In just five years, with the help of Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi, this Bok team has transformed and united a nation.

Springboks supporters who came out in numbers, were turned away from the Durban International Conference Centre (ICC) after it reached its full capacity, two hours before kickoff. In their Springbok T-shirts and other regalia, disappointed supporters had to find alternatives to watch the match. “I’m so disappointed,” said one. “The poster said gates open at 6pm, and by 7pm, it was already full.”

At Montecasino hundreds of fans were turned away from the piazza, which has a giant TV, because they had not made reservations. 

Only those who had made prior bookings at the restaurants situated on the open-air square were allowed in and made to wear wristbands.

Some of the restaurants, like Col'Cacchio, were booked out two weeks ago.

“They should have told us that we needed to book, we didn't know that and we are already here," said a disappointed female Bok fan.

Another fan, Justice Mohloana from Winchester Hills who booked in advance, told the Sunday Times he chose Montecasino because he knew it would host “the mother of all Springbok parties” in the event of a Bok win.

“I like it here because the place accommodates everyone irrespective of background, it’s a melting pot of cultures. There’s no better place to watch this final than here,” Mohloana said.

Danny Kieser, a South African who is is a self-confessed New Zealand fan, donned an inflated All Black bodysuit and was the odd one out in the sea of green and yellow.

Asked how he felt, he replied: “I feel outnumbered.”

That’s how the All Blacks must have felt, with two players being carded in the first half. 

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi, whose participation in the final was in doubt after an alleged racist slur against England, was injured in the second minute by “swart kant” flank Shannon Frizell, who was sent off for 10 minutes.

And then All Black skipper Sam Cane was red-carded for a high-tackle on Jessie Kriel, leaving them a man short for the rest of the game.

Flyhalf Handre Pollard’s boot was solid on the night, giving South Africa a 12-6 halftime lead. Nobody would have dreamed that that would have been enough.

New Zealand tried their brand of All Black magic, and at times they looked to be one pass away from a try, but they were no match for the spirit shown by the Boks. Pieter-Steph du Toit in particular put in several big hits, although there were many critical tackles made throughout.

The Boks applied pressure early in the second half, but missed two potential tries with Siya Kolisi becoming a villain for the Boks. First he failed to pass when in a great attacking position, and then he was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle.

That’s when the momentum shifted. The Boks absorbed huge pressure on their line, but it was only after Kolisi returned that New Zealand finally scored the first try of the game.

Cheslin Kolbe’s yellow card, with less than eight minutes left, might have been the killer blow, but his 14 teammates on the field ground out a famous victory.

At Montecasino the party went into the night with Mandoza’s Nkalakatha whipping up the crowd when the final whistle came.

World champions for four more years.