A marathon Cape Town leg of the World Cup trophy bus tour showcased what fuels the history-making Springboks, writes Dylan Jack. 

A child on roller blades skates desperately to keep up with the bright green bus. Nearby another youngster cycles to do the same. They are the lucky ones. The rest have to make do with running a virtual marathon.

Meanwhile, on top of the bus, Siya Kolisi for the first time looks like he can scarcely believe what he is seeing. The Bok captain switches between blowing kisses and pumping his fist, while bashing the back of the bus to express his joy.

Jesse Kriel has led the Bok iGwijo, next to Handre Pollard, who joins him.

At the front of the bus, which has turned into Bonteheuwel, Canan Moodie blows kisses the crowd, while at the back, Cheslin Kolbe leads a lift of the Webb Ellis Cup.

This is a trophy tour unlike you’ve ever seen it.

Earlier in the day, Kolisi and Kolbe, two of Cape Town’s favorite sons, addressed a big gathering at City Hall.

Hoarse but still managing to draw a croaky voice, Kolisi speaks about how the people provided the ultimate inspiration for the Springboks.

He speaks about winning the World Cup twice against “first-world” countries and how, if South Africans put their differences aside and work together, they can “honestly achieve a lot”.

🗣️ “We come from different backgrounds and cultures, this is the beauty of us all.”

Cheslin Kolbe and Siya Kolisi address the crowds as the Cape Town leg of the Trophy Tour kicks off!

📺 Stream live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/EU83W2sOR5

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 3, 2023

A sea of supporters makes what should be a 10-minute pop down from City Hall to the Cullinan Hotel into a two-hour marathon. Not that the Boks are bothered. They are soaking in every minute.

For one afternoon, at least, Capetonians from all backgrounds, and all walks of life, stand united.

However, the real scenes, and the ultimate demonstration of the hope that the Boks provide, come as the bus turns into Bhunga Avenue, Langa.

From the first sight of their heroes, children sprint down the road, following the bus for 10s of kilometres to Bonteheuwel.

Chants for Faf, Cheslin, Deon and, of course, the famous Elizabedi (the moniker given to Eben Etzebeth) ring out as the bus goes inch-by-inch through a street swamped by people.

What a great moment! Siya Dlamini from Volksrust in Mpumalanga gets to meet #Elizabedi 🥹#StrongerTogether @EbenEtzebeth pic.twitter.com/GAPyX3ewrn

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 3, 2023

Climbing every car, bus, truck, tree and even street signs and traffic lights, fans cheer on the World Cup record-breakers.

This is what gives the Springboks their edge. This is what gave them the extra one percent to claim one-point playoff wins over France and England and made them do it again against their old rivals the All Blacks in the final.

This is why the Springboks know they are not allowed to let a mistake get them down in the dumps. Because, back home, there is someone in a desperate situation doing everything they can, sacrificing what little they have, to cheer the Boks on.

As the now-famous mantra goes: “Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie!”