London (AFP)

The victory of the Springboks in the final of the Rugby World Cup in Japan on Saturday will remain "engraved forever in every South African", and goes "well beyond rugby," said former star Bryan Habana on English television after the match.

"I have to take a moment to digest all that, that's what the sweetest dreams are (...) it's so much more than just rugby," said the former winger on the ITV channel after the first captain Black Boks, Siya Kolisi, had raised the world trophy for a sport that has lived under the yoke of apartheid politics in his country for decades.

The Boks' 32-12 win over England on Saturday o offered a third world title to South Africans. Habana, with 124 caps, was on the team in 2007.

He hopes that this victory will mark a turning point for the country and for sport. "It goes well beyond rugby," he said.

This competition "has been a journey that has transformed so many things, Siya Kolisi, thank you for giving hope to South Africa, thank you for inspiring South Africans," continued Bryan Habana.

"It's amazing to see a story like Siya's and the course he's had in the last seven years."

"Seeing a guy galvanize a team that did not seem to be able to win 18 months ago is extraordinary, and with him at the helm, I hope this story will last a long time," he added.

For the former winger, South Africa was by far the best team, and significantly improved his performance after his semifinal win over Wales. "It's absolutely phenomenal, no one expected such a demonstration, they won all the big battles."

The atmosphere was obviously different at Clive Woodward, former coach of the England team who won the trophy in 2003. "Congratulations, the best team won," he soberly commented.

"This victory brings us back to that level of rugby, which means that if we are not able to make proper scrums, we will always finish second," he said. "England (...) can not complain or accuse anyone," he added.

Jonny Wilkinson, hero of the 2003 final, highlighted the difference in level of the English with the semifinal won 19 to 7 against New Zealand a week earlier.

"They needed to do another type of match but could not get it out," he said on ITV.

© 2019 AFP