Pretoria (AFP)

Perched on a black-flagged double-decker bus, the Springboks kicked off Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa's capital, with a five-day honorary ride that will take them all over the country to celebrate their World Cup win. rugby.

The national XV, led by the first black captain of its history Siya Kolisi, won Saturday its third world title by winning, against all odds, against England (32-12) in the final of the tournament played in Japan .

This unexpected triumph was welcomed as a breath of fresh air in South Africa, affected by the economic crisis and the still glaring social and racial inequalities, a quarter of a century after the fall of apartheid.

All wearing a green cap marked "champions", the "Boks" have reserved the first stage of their parade to the country's president Cyril Ramphosa, who welcomed them Thursday in his palace Union Building, the seat of government.

"We thank our warriors," said the head of state, smiling, to captain Siya Kolisi, coach Rassie Erasmus and the entire team.

"They went to war, they won it and they brought the World Cup to South Africa where she is at home," he added.

"We thank them for the impact that their victory has had on the country ... You have cheered up a lot of people," Ramaphosa said. "For 80 minutes, the whole world looked at these men, our flag and what South Africa is capable of."

The head of state has once again paid tribute to the captain and child of a poor ghetto in Port-Elizabeth (south) Siya Kolisi, bombed since the final hero of the "rainbow nation" dreamed by the Nelson Mandela icon.

"He is happy that we have no election to come, I should have faced Siya Kolisi," Cyril Ramaphosa amused himself, he "could have become president."

Ramaphosa was elected president for five years after the victory of his party, the African National Congress (ANC), in the parliamentary elections last May.

"We are very happy and proud to be here today with the trophy," said the third line Siya Kolisi, before thanking the hundreds of fans gathered in front of Union Building.

After Pretoria, the Springboks must parade Thursday afternoon in Johannesburg, then in the township of Soweto. They will continue their tour through Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth (east) and finally Cape Town (southwest) on Monday.

© 2019 AFP