• The Springboks’ last World Cup Rugby trophy parade is under way in East London.
• Jaden Hendrikse, who watched the 2019 Rugby World Cup on TV, is part of the triumphant squad that lifted the trophy again on Sunday.
• A local Eastern Cape local boy, he hails from Breidbach, outside Qonce (formerly known as King William’s Town).

When the Springboks lifted their third rugby world cup trophy in 2019, scrum half Jaden Hendrikse was only 19 and watching the game on TV as he dreamt of playing for the side.

Last Sunday, that dream came true for the Eastern Cape local when the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the fourth time, more than any nation has done.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the trophy tour in East London on Sunday, Hendrikse’s message for the youngsters was that they must never stop dreaming.

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He said: “First and foremost, they [kids] must enjoy what they do. Four years ago I watched the guys on TV and I wished one day I would play for the side and that has happened. Young people should believe in themselves, work hard and sacrifice.”

Hendrikse thanked the people of Durban, Cape Town and Gauteng who came out in numbers to celebrate with them during the first three trophy tours.

The world champions, who landed in the Eastern Cape on Saturday evening, have transformed the streets of the small city of East London into a carnival atmosphere.  

They are currently criss-crossing the town greeting and thanking their thousands of supporters following their nail-biting 12-11 win over New Zealand in the final.

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The Boks won the trophy on home soil in 1995, in France (2007), in Japan (2019) and last week they lifted the trophy at the same stadium where they won it 16 years ago, in Paris.

The parade has triggered a frenzy of support with scores of residents out in the streets to see their stars.

Dozens of fans are lining up along major East London routes waving SA flags with youngsters tossing rugby balls and jerseys on top of the roofless Springbok tour bus for players to sign and toss back.    

East London is the last stop for the parade before the players disperse to their various clubs across the world. 

The tour kickstarted at 10:00 at the Garden Court Hotel on the Esplanade where they had stayed overnight with their families.

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