In a nail-biting Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France, the mighty Springboks emerged victorious with a thrilling 12-11 win against the All Blacks, subsequently earning them a record-breaking fourth global title and a back-to-back World Cup win.
Also read: Back-to-back is how the Bokke does it!
In addition to stress and anxious anticipation (the good kind, of course), the Rugby World Cup has offered social media users a means to relive the greatest rugby moments, relate to our fellow South Africans and release any pent-up post-game gees.
To put it mildly, the final clash between the Springboks and All Blacks was tense from start to finish. But when the final whistle blew, what a blissful eruption of undiluted celebration.
Take a look:
But first, let’s relive the moment the Springboks became the greatest rugby team in the world… again:
@rugbyworldcup The Springboks go back to back 🏆 #RWCFinal #RWC2023 #rugby ♬ som original – WE ARE 00h.03m 🇨🇭
S.T.R.E.S.S.E.D. was an understatement. He was us, and we were him:
Every South African watching this worldcup final rn 😭😭🇿🇦🇿🇦
The stress 😭😭#RSAVNZL #StrongerTogether #Springboks #RWCFinal #Gobokke #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/FnB1jbQLUz— Jason Shiek (@ChrisIke244452) October 28, 2023
This was every South African after the final whistle:
@rugbyworldcup South Africa rn 🙌 #RWC2023 #RWCFinal #rugby #Springboks ♬ Dancin krono remix – Archer🏹
Celebrations erupted from all corners of the country:
Well done South Africa…. jubilant scenes here in Cape Town #RugbyWorldCupFinal #RugbyWorldCup #SouthAfrica #Springboks #CapeTown pic.twitter.com/uAw3WWmRNl
— Daniel farmer (@Mumraa) October 28, 2023
Situation right now at Mall of Africa in Waterfall. Thousands of people are here with us. WE DID IT SOUTH AFRICA!!! We won the Rugby World Cup again. For a record 4th time. In God we trust. The whole country is not sleeping tonight. 🔥🔥🇿🇦 #Springboks #RWCFinal #RWC2023… pic.twitter.com/6pX1Zr65aE
— Toko Masemola (@TokoMasemola) October 28, 2023
Ah, Kieran Williams, the English TikTokker who has multiple viral videos for his Rugby World Cup commentary, switched up from hater to lover in an instant – supposedly after landing in Cape Town to watch the final.
However, he seems to have landed in the wrong Cape Town:
@kieranrhyswilliams up the springboks!! #thebreakdownrugbypod #rugbyworldcup2023 #rwc2023 #rwc #springboksrugby #rugbyworldcup #springboks #rugbytok #kieranrhyswilliams #kieranwilliams #sarugbymag #rwc2023final #rwc2023final ♬ original sound – Kieran Williams
Also read: English fan who called Boks ‘rubbish’ to visit Cape Town for the final
What’s an elite meet-and-greet without Faf and his ‘national treasure’ – the South African speedo:
@the_scent_central #rugbyworldcup2023 #sportstiktok #southafricatiktok #explorepage✨ #fypシ #SAMA28 ♬ original sound – The Scent Central
Record-breaking, baby:
@coolstorybru_ SOUTH AFRICA have WON the Rugby World Cup!!! 😍🇿🇦 #southafrica #springboks #rugby ♬ original sound – Cool Story Bru! 🇿🇦
As the sound of our other national anthem – the iconic Nkalakatha – rippled through the air at the Stade de France, Uncle Cyril was seen grinning from ear to ear knowing he would once again lift the Webb Ellis trophy.
South Africa wins the 2023 Rugby World Cup final #RWCFinal #StrongerTogether 🏉🏆❤️🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/Vg7fD96xlT
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 28, 2023
All that’s left is the million rand question on every South African’s lips…
When you promised the country a Public Holiday and now you must deliver #Springboks pic.twitter.com/c0EUxvqgV9
— SlickD (@iamSlickD) October 28, 2023
Also read:
Ramaphosa says public holiday for Springboks victory still under review
Picture: @Springboks / X