Springboks welcomed by thousands of excited fans

Thousands of supporters gather at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg yesterday to welcome the victorious Springbok rugby team. PHOTO: AP

South Africa's World Cup-winning rugby squad arrived back home with the Webb Ellis trophy yesterday as thousands of fans gathered at Johannesburg airport to give them a hero's welcome.

Springbok Jake White and his squad walked into a sea of jubilant supporters, many wearing green and yellow shirts and waving flags, as they emerged in the international arrivals area.

"It is unbelievable," winning captain John Smit said.

"It is one thing winning the cup, and its completely different thing bringing it home to people who deserve it ... showing this [trophy] off is worthwhile," he said.

"It's unbelievable," agreed star player Bryan Habana, who scored eight tries for South Africa to finish as the tournament's top scorer.

The newly crowned champions beat England 15-6 in the World Cup final in Paris on Saturday.

Police their hands full as screaming fans pushed to get a glimpse of their heroes.

Singing Ole" and "shosholoza," the crowd was in high spirits, with some having camped over at the airport or arrived as early as 3am.

"We woke up at 2[am] and left home at 2.30am," said an excited 17-year-old Grant Matthee.

"Welcome back Bokke," said 11-year-old Viaan Gouws, who was there with several of his friends, all part of his school's first rugby team.

The South African team is to embark on a series of victory celebrations later in the week, including a reception on Friday with South African President Thabo Mbeki which will be followed by an open-top bus tour across Johannesburg and the black township of Soweto.

South Africa won their first rugby World Cup in 1995.