The Springboks certainly revisited some of their heritage by claiming their first victory since 2009 over the All Blacks in New Zealand last weekend.
And ahead of Heritage Day on Monday, the Boks sported special Madiba shirts at a function in Port Elizabeth.
The South African team attended a mayoral reception on Sunday night ahead of next Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Australia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Earlier on Sunday, the Boks also attended a service at the Apostolic Church in Zwide township, with UDM leader Bantu Holomisa tweeting pictures of captain Siya Kolisi – who hails from Zwide – and Warren Whiteley in attendance with new Port Elizabeth mayor Mongameli Bobani.
Executive Mayor Bobani & his Executive Committee members together with the Springboks being welcomed at Apostolic Church in #Zwide in PE. Winners celebrated today.Praise the Lord . Amen! pic.twitter.com/wzzh9ojC7d
— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) September 23, 2018
The Boks are on a high after beating the All Blacks 36-34 in Wellington, having lost to the Wallabies and Argentina.
The incredible effort has raised spirits in Mzansi, and the Boks still have an outside chance of winning the Rugby Championship title.
But more than that, the victory came at a vital time as it brought back hope that Rassie Erasmus’ team can be competitive at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Erasmus named a 30-man squad on Sunday for the matches against Australia and New Zealand (on October 6 in Pretoria).
Willie le Roux was included after initially being deemed unavailable, while English-based prop Vincent Koch is back, as well as fit-again Sbu Nkosi.
The Boks will continue their Heritage Day celebrations with a training session that is open to the public on Monday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in PE at 3pm, where after the players will hold a signing session for the fans.
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