Parliament staff gear up to welcome the Springboks on the Cape Town leg of the Rugby World Cup trophy tour.

• The Cape Town leg of the Springboks’ victory parade kicks off on Friday.
• In anticipation, the provincial parliament building was lit up in the colours of the South African flag on Thursday night.
• The 2023 Rugby World Cup champions will tour the CBD, Langa and Bonteheuwel.

It’s all things green and gold as the Mother City gears up to welcome the Springboks with true Capetonian gees.

To kick off the festivities, the provincial government building was lit up in the colours of the South African flag on Thursday night.

Speaker Daylin Mitchell switched on the lights at the Wale Street building in anticipation of the Boks’ Webb Ellis trophy tour.

“With this symbolic gesture, the Western Cape Provincial Parliament not only wants to recognise the Springboks for this record-breaking fourth World Cup victory but also recognise the power of sport in uniting and building our nation,” he said.

“The first Springbok victory in 1995, came at a time when the South African democracy was just one year old. The recent victory, almost 30 years later, reflects our nation’s perseverance and teamwork to build a united and prosperous nation.”

Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain and City Hall were among the other landmarks that were lit up to welcome the squad.

Meanwhile, Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) CEO Tasso Evangelinos says the organisation – which operates in partnership with the City of Cape Town and SAPS to ensure the CBD is safe, clean and welcoming – has been hard at work to ensure the victory parade goes off without a hitch.

Evangelinos said public safety officers of the CCID’s safety and security department would have a visible presence in the city’s streets.

The Boks’ bus will travel through key streets in the CBD, including Adderley, Wale, Long, Loop and Buitengracht Streets, as well as Walter Sisulu, Hans Strijdom and Hertzog Boulevards.

To kick off the festivities, on Thursday night, the provincial parliament building was lit up in the colours of the South African flag.

Number eight Duane Vermeulen (2nd R) and South Africa’s inside centre Damian de Allende (R) wave to supporters during the Springboks Champions trophy tour at Church Square in Pretoria on November 2, 2023, after South Africa won the France 2023 Rugby World Cup final match against New Zealand.

The Boks did a similar victory lap in 2019 and crowds of people came out to meet them.

The parade will kick off with a celebration on the Grand Parade in front of City Hall at 10:00.

The programme will include performances from local artists, such as DJ Ready D, Bravo Le Roux, Fancy Galada, Mujahid George, Amy Jones and PJ Powers.

READ | MAPS: Here’s where you can see the triumphant Springboks on their victory parade

The bus route will start shortly after 12:00 and will take in the Cape Town CBD.

From 14:30, they are scheduled to drive through Langa and Bonteheuwel, before heading back to the city centre at around 17:30.

The City of Cape Town has cautioned motorists and residents of numerous road closures, including Darling Street, Adderley Street, Wale Street, Long Street, Buitensingel Street, Loop Street, Strand Street, Heerengracht Street, Hertzog Boulevard, and Nelson Mandela Boulevard.