Johannesburg (AFP)

The stunning Springbok victory at the World Rugby Championship, led for the first time by a black captain, Siya Kolisi, comes at the right moment for South Africa, in full economic and social turbulence, a "euphoria" sports on which the government would like to capitalize.

"What a great achievement, Siya Kolisi (...) and all the players, you did much more than win the Rugby World Cup, you have restored the faith of a nation that doubts itself", summed up the highly respected Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize.

"If you believe in yourself, your dreams can come true," he said, "Today, our father, Nelson Mandela (the first black South African president), smiles from paradise."

Not only did the Springboks win their third world cup on Saturday, after their exploits in 1995 and 2007, but they won with a black captain.

A highly symbolic first in a country where blacks were banned from participating in the national rugby team during the worst hours of the racist apartheid regime, which officially fell in 1994.

"May this moment (...) inspire our nation to build dreamed South Africa" ​​by Nelson Mandela, estimated the foundation of the former president, as the old demons of racism continue to poison Africa's South.

This victory is "a perfect example of what we can achieve when we are united," she added.

After the final whistle on Saturday in Japan, Siya Kolisi, the township kid turned hero, did not say anything else, coming out of his sporting speech, extremely rare.

"We have so many problems in our country, but we have such a team, we come from different backgrounds, from different races but we have come together with a single goal and we wanted to reach it," he said. .

"It shows that if we all pull in the same direction, we can achieve something," he concluded his message that goes well beyond the sporting prowess.

- "Amazing story" -

"We need this kind of positivity in our country," said former Springbok captain Jean De Villiers, referring to the political and economic problems of his country.

"Suddenly, we feel so much better in South Africa, it's just amazing," he exclaimed.

A "euphoria" that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa would like to enjoy.

"The spirit of unity demonstrated during the World Cup shows us that South Africa can overcome the challenges, through determination and work together," the government assured. "We are #MoreFortsEnsemble".

For this victory could not be better in a country where the bad news has accumulated for several years: soft growth, endemic unemployment (29%), very high inequalities and rampant crime (58 murders per day).

"In South Africa," said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus Saturday, "the pressure is not to have a job, it's to have a loved one killed ... Rugby should not create pressure but hope. "

And hope, rugby has aroused a lot since this weekend. Especially with the fabulous destiny of Siya Kolisi.

"When I was a kid, the only thing I thought was when will I have my next meal," the captain just crowned in the field.

"It's amazing to see a story like Siya," said former South African rugby star Bryan Habana. And to see more "a guy galvanize a team that did not seem to be able to win eighteen months ago, it's extraordinary!"

"It is South Africa's responsibility" to take the example of the Boks and put aside its insignificant quarrels, "the Sunday Independent newspaper urged. Otherwise, the Sunday Times warned, "the country is heading for a dismal future."

© 2019 AFP