This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
November 9, 2019
For 16-year-old Khanyisile Makumbana, watching the Springboks' victorious parade through Soweto was a moment of pure joy and emotion.
As a young rugby player from the famous black township on the edge of Johannesburg, Makumbana was overcome with pride as she saw the team, once reviled in her community, being celebrated by a sea of green and gold.
"Seeing them in the eyes, it brought tears in my eyes," Makumbana said, her voice filled with emotion.
The Springboks' 32-12 final victory against England was a historic moment for South Africa, where rugby was once the preserve of the white minority population.
Not so long ago, black people, oppressed by the apartheid system, despised the Springboks, a team which for decades excluded non-whites.
"The rugby team came to symbolise the arrogance of Afrikaner power," said Bongani Dlamini, a retired teacher from Soweto.
However, since the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994 as the first black president, the tide has slowly changed.
The iconic sight of Mandela wearing a Bok shirt and handing South Africa captain Francois Pienaar the Webb Ellis Trophy after the 1995 World Cup final was a significant moment in the sport's journey towards inclusivity.
And events in Yokohama last week took it to another level as the trophy was handed to Siya Kolisi, the first black player ever to captain South Africa in a test.
This team, forged by Kolisi on the field and coach Rassie Erasmus off it, feels like a team that truly represents the nation, prompting the #StrongerTogether motto and hashtag for the Boks in Japan.
For Makumbana and her fellow players at the Soweto Rugby School Academy (SRSA), the Springboks' victory is a source of inspiration and a reminder that their dreams are within reach.
"I want to be Kolisi. I want to be part of the first female Springboks team," Makumbana said, her eyes shining with determination.
SRSA founder Chris Litau says her dreams are realistic, as Kolisi beat the same path on which his 250 young players, including 50 girls, are now travelling.
"He did not have a pair of rugby boots, they don't have rugby boots. He had no food, these kids don't have food," Litau said, highlighting the challenges faced by the young players.
Despite the obstacles, Makumbana and her fellow players continue to train hard, driven by their passion for the sport and their desire to make a difference in their community.
