[imagesource: Getty Images]
I’m pretty anti-budgie smugglers, but this weekend has changed that mindset completely.
Faf de Klerk meeting Prince Harry in his broeks really was a joy to behold, and a few of the Boks could be seen sporting the now iconic flag-branded undies around the changing room.
For a look at some wonderful photos of the Boks enjoying the trophy, and a snapshot inside the changing room, head here.
In case you’re after a stocking filler this Christmas, you can buy the same undies Faf wore here.
Now I’m sure you’ve already been sent hundreds of videos and memes on WhatsApp, and your social media feeds have been non-stop Springbok celebrations, but I’ve tried to get as many of the iconic videos down in one place as possible.
We will start with the basics, and the highlights from the match:
Siya Kolisi’s post-match speech was always going to be one of the ages, and boy did he deliver:
Rassie was also in fine voice, with some powerful words for the country at large:
I will never, ever tire of seeing the trophy lift:
Everything’s better in slow-motion, right?!
How about the proud wave from Cyril over to Siya?
Love this moment between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and captain Siya Kolisi
#ITVRugby #RWCFinal #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/4e49doebUK
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) November 2, 2019
A beer will never taste sweeter than when it’s sipped out of the William Webb Ellis trophy, so here’s Faf in his broeks again:
Poor Harry couldn’t smash a down-down with the cameras watching, but he did offer some kind words to the world champions:
If you watched until around the 2:35 mark, you’ll hear Harry drop a F-bomb about the size of our Springbok locks.
Enter Faf for his royal moment, too. Lovely scenes.
The Boks soon had a message for the supporters back home:
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 2, 2019
With some dancing for good measure:
Great scenes from as @Springboks sing and dance in the changing room after winning the final at Rugby World Cup 2019#RWC2019 #RWCFinal #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/sI9cScfXq7
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019
We break briefly from the changing room vibes to bring you this man, who summed up what many of us felt as the reality sunk in:
There’s it
https://t.co/8dL30CCK5K pic.twitter.com/HYbDmTdVJo
— Diana Moss (@miss_moss) November 2, 2019
Yup – we feel it, too.
When Rassie Erasmus sat down for the official press conference later in the day, he once again spoke with great purpose about what ‘pressure’ really means:
“Rugby shouldn’t be something that creates pressure on you, it should be something that creates hope”
An eloquent response from @Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus on the meaning of pressure for South Africans outside of rugby #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/pvzLjrK9gZ
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019
Once the boys in green had finished up at the stadium, it was time to head back to the hotel, where a hero’s reception awaited them:
Schalk Brits – we love you.
With rumours that Faf was still to be seen drinking beer in his broeks at around 5AM on Sunday morning, the squad readied themselves for the World Rugby Awards later in the evening.
It was a clean sweep, starting with Rassie’s win in the Coach of the Year category:
Siya was met with a standing ovation when he headed to the podium to collect the Team of the Year award on behalf of the Boks:
In the Men’s 15s Player of the Year category, the one and only Pieter-Steph Du Toit beat out Cheslin Kolbe for the big prize:
He’s such a deserving winner, and the skipper loves his flanker, too:
”
Siya Kolisi was just a little bit excited after his @Springboks team mate Peter-Steph Du Toit won the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year 2019 #WorldRugbyAwards@Mastercard pic.twitter.com/XmW81ZzxOB
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 3, 2019
You really do love to see it.
Whilst Roger Federer may not be a neutral per se, with a South African mother, he summed up how much of the watching world felt:
Thank you Roger Federer!
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 3, 2019
There were also messages from the likes of Trevor Noah, Charlize Theron, and even Matthew McConaughey, which you can see here.
Also, how about this bit of cheek before we part ways…
England, we needed this, so allow us the chance to revel in the victory.
Have I missed some videos out? Of course, I have. Feel free to pop any other videos you think the country should enjoy below, and we can add them to the mix.
Enjoy this feeling, South Africa.
