[imagesource:x/@kzngov]
Shame, Durban didn’t get much gees when the Springboks Trophy Tour kicked off in the region on Saturday, November 4.
Hoards of fans in KwaZulu-Natal were geared up to meet their heroes only to be left feeling a little cheated after a few of the big names in the Boks team didn’t make it to the parade.
It is indeed a pity that some of the squad’s key players were absent for the next leg of their nationwide Trophy tour, including Captain Siya Kolisi, funnyman Faf de Klerk, and key players Handre Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe.
The Springboks have been on their country-wide victory lap since Thursday, after touching down on home soil with the Web Ellis trophy earlier this week.
EWN reported that scores of fans gathered before the four-time world champions landed in the province, saying they were especially looking forward to seeing Kolisi. However, the captain was a no-show as he had some family commitments to attend to.
The disappointment was palpable:
“We wish you were here,” said one supporter, with another echoing the same sentiments: “I hope you really enjoy the wedding, but I really wish that you were here with us.”
The other fan favourite, Faf de Klerk, took to social media to apologise for being a no-show as he needed to attend a family funeral:
Cheslin Kolbe missed both Durban and East London over his 30th birthday celebrations, while Handre Pollard, whose wife Marise announced her pregnancy on Sunday, missed both events, per The South African.
People weren’t shy to express their disappointment on social media:
Durban #TrophyTour is a disappointing. No Siya, Faf, Pollard, Ox, Kriel, DeAllende, Rassie. No Gees. #Springboks #Durban
— Michael Robert (@MichaelRobert) November 4, 2023
#SpringboksRWC No Faf, Cheslin No Siya
Durban is robbed
— Mrs Mbappe (@Anastacia247722) November 4, 2023
These two fans told @ewnupdates that they wished to see the team’s captain @SiyaKolisi who did not make it to the Durban leg of the #SpringbokTrophyTour today due to a personal commitment. #SpringbokChampions @_NMabaso pic.twitter.com/VFtEMU7SZr
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 4, 2023
The look of pure disappointment on the Springboks supporters faces when an eNCA journalist told them that Siya Kolisi won’t be on the bus tour in Durban as his got a family wedding he needs to attend.
— Lisalee Solomons
(@Lisaleesolomon1) November 4, 2023
But ‘no Faf, Siya or Kolbe’ didn’t dampen the mood too much, as celebrations still rang out Saffa-style:
Spectacular scenes were witnessed as thousands greeted four-time World Rugby Champions, the Springboks, from their open-top bus as they paraded the Webb Ellis Cup across the City of Durban. #SpringboksRWC #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/CI9rc4dUsq
— KZN Provincial Gov (@kzngov) November 4, 2023
The Bokke will conclude the nationwide Trophy Tour on Sunday in East London.
[source:ewn]
