Bok Sharks thank Durbs

Two of the Sharks World Cup-winning Springbok squad, retired prop Beast Mtawarira (above) and wing S’bu Nkosi, yesterday paid tribute in Durban to all South Africans for their overwhelming response since arriving back with the coveted Webb Ellis Cup from Japan this week.

The second instalment of the Boks’ Trophy Tour took part in the KwaZulu-Natal capital yesterday as thousands of fans lined the streets as they did in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Soweto on Thursday.

“I’m so greatful for the time that I’ve had here in Durban with the Sharks, wearing the Bok and Sharks jersey, what a privilege,” said Mtawarira who played his 117th and final Test in Yokohama last weekend.

“But I’m also greatful for bringing hope the last eight years and winning the Cup we saw the joy and hope we brought to the country.’’

Mtawarira said as players they worked very hard and bought into the blueprint provided by coach Rassie Erasmus and his management team.

“It wasn’t just the final, but the few weeks before the World Cup where all the plans had been in place and the belief was there to just keep on going. And while we initially played conservatively, the tries came and when we scored those tries in the final we knew it was in the bag,” the affable prop added.

Mtawarira said at the time of the Boks’ first try he had already been replaced by Steven Kitshoff, but started celebrating with the rest of the players sitting on the bench at the time.

Nkosi, who stood in for the injured Cheslin Kolbe in the semifinal, said it was great to create a good team environment but also giving hope to the country.

“The support in Gauteng and in Durban was awesome and that filled me with great pride. Hopefully we can take this forward and apply it in the rest of our lives and careers,” he said.

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