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Subscribe to RSS FeedSA press lauds the champions
South Africa's Glory Boys
The South African media have hailed the Springboks as "Glory Boys" after they won the William Webb Ellis trophy with a 15-6 victory over England on Saturday.
"Boks rule the world!" read the headline in the Sunday Independent, while the front-page of The Sunday Times simply said "Glory Boys!" above a picture of John Smit and the team holding the Webb Ellis trophy aloft.
Rapport, the Afrikaans' paper, spoke of how the win signifies the turnaround of the side who crashed out of the 2003 World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a race row marred the build-up.
"This epic victory is all the more sensational given the despair of Rugby World Cup 2003, and for the Springboks to have risen from the canvas to win the title is nothing short of miraculous," says the Sunday Independent.
"Enjoy it South Africa, and be proud of your team because it is doubtful there has been a team more deserving of the game's richest spoils."
It went on to hail the veteran members of the squad, and singled out Percy Montgomery for his exemplary kicking display.
"The senior Springboks were magnificent in marshalling the forces. Among the forwards Victor Matfield, Os du Randt and John Smit were outstanding, at the back Percy Montgomery quite brilliant."
The Sunday Times also looked at the key experience factor as the Springboks edged England out and closed the game out in fine style.
"In the end, the most experienced South African test side yet held their nerve better than England to effectively shut the match down from as early as the third quarter."
They heaped praise on Montgomery, dubbed by the English press as 'Percy the Peacock', saying he exacted his revenge at the Stade de France.
South Africa may have won the final but it was a game dominated by the boot, and remained without a try, a point that was not missed by the papers despite the euphoria.
"Both sides will be grateful that there is no column for how it looked in the history books because it was an ugly game," said the Sunday Times.
The English papers touched on the Mark Cueto incident, as did their South African counterparts, claiming it was a major turning point in the game.
"It was the turning point of the match," says the Sunday Independent.
"Smit pulled his players into a huddle and they left it with their jaws set. England were given short shrift, the match was controlled and South Africa muscled their way to victory."
The front-page of Rapport had a picture of Smit holding the trophy aloft under the headline "Bravo Bokke! The World Cup is ours. Full Stop."
The paper said it received a text message immediately after the final whistle from former president Mandela, reading: "We are a winning nation. Excellent! Well done men. You are our pride."
