Hundreds of Springboks fans gathered at Umhlanga ahead of the arrival of the 2023 Rugby World Cup champions on Saturday.
- Hundreds of South Africans gathered outside the popular Garden Court Umhlanga ahead of the Durban leg of the Springboks’ victory tour on Saturday.
- The Bokke beat the All Blacks in a nail-biting final at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France last week.
- Saturday is day three of the Boks’ victory tour, which kicked off with a visit to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday.
Hundreds of Springboks fans, many of whom are sporting the team’s signature green and gold, have gathered outside Umhlanga’s Garden Court hotel ahead of the Durban leg of the 2023 Rugby World Cup champions’ victory tour.
The supporters were loudly singing popular sporting anthems such as Shosholoza.
Broad smiles, laughs and light conversation were the order of the day, with the sunny weather reflecting the jovial mood permeating this affluent part of Durban.
Karishma Ganai, a Durban local, said although she lives down the road from the hotel, she booked herself and her two sons a room at the establishment so that they could get a better view of the Springboks when they arrive.
She said:
It’s been a rush of emotions for us … As soon as we heard that the boys were coming over, we decided to book in.
Her son, Mikhail Govender, said: “It’s been a mixture of emotions for me ever since they [Springboks] won against the All Blacks. I’m very happy for the boys. I hope they continue winning.”
Karishma Ganai and her son, Mikhail Govender, booked into the Garden Court Umhlanga to get a good view of the Bokke.
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The Springboks were expected to land at King Shaka International Airport in Durban at 09:15 on Saturday and then start the 20km drive to Umhlanga.
Another local, Leona Govender, and her family of six also booked rooms at the hotel last Sunday, the day after the Springboks’ victory.
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They woke up at the crack of dawn on Saturday and had been standing outside the hotel since 04:00 so they could be on the front stands when their beloved rugby team arrives.
“It’s my youngest son’s birthday today. I’m hoping that one of the boys will take a picture with him. We wanted to make this a special day,” she said.
The Pillay family said they were stationed outside the Garden court hotel since 04:00.
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According to the Bokke’s official programme, the Durban victory tour is expected to run as follows:
- From Garden Court Umhlanga Rocks along Aurora Road;
- Left into Centenary Boulevard;
- Right into Umhlanga Rocks Drive;
- Right into Blackburn Road;
- Right into Chris Hani Road (M25);
- Left by Bester Drive behind Bridge City into Bhejane Road;
- Right into Malendela Road, past KwaMashu Centre;
- Right into Dumusani Makhaye Drive;
- Right into Shepstone Road;
- Right into Crompton Street;
- Right into Josiah Gumede Road;
- Right into King Cetshwayo Highway (M13);
- Left into Village Road;
- Right into Civic Centre;
- Back right into Josiah Gumede Road;
- Right into Pioneer Road;
- Left in King Cetshwayo Highway (M13);
- Onto N3 to Elliot Viaduct;
- Right into Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street; and
- Left into Dr Pixley Kaseme Road to City Hall.
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