Springboks receive warm Rugby World Cup welcome in Toulon

Reigning champions South Africa received a wonderful welcome to the World Cup in France during a lavish ceremony held at La Tour Royale in Toulon on Monday.

Dignitaries and fans came together to give the Boks a warm reception in the picturesque city overlooking the French Riviera.

Addressing the crowd, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said the Boks were honoured to be based in the beautiful city of Toulon and thanked the people for hosting them.

Kolisi said the Boks were also based in Toulon during 2022's end-of-year-tour and they were eager to return.

"The welcome that we got and the amazing facilities meant we had no choice but to return here," Kolisi said.

Several Springboks were also warmly received due to their history of playing for Toulon, including Duane Vermeulen, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe.

Kolbe said it was an amazing sight to approach Toulon on the ferry from their training camp in Corsica.

"It was unreal approaching Toulon by ferry," said Kolbe.

"I'm happy to be back here. It's a special place. I was here for two years, and I made unbelievable memories in that time, so it's good to be back here with the Boks.

"There's a lot of excitement in the group. There will always be expectations from the public. But we won four years ago and if we want to replicate that, it will take a lot of hard work, commitment and sacrifices from each one of us. There is pressure of course, but we see it as positive pressure."

World Rugby Vice-Chairman John Jeffrey spoke at the ceremony and had high praise for the Springboks.

"I would like to congratulate you on the last 25 years. What you have done for the sport, for a nation and the world," Jeffrey said.

"[You participated in] seven World Cups since 1995 and you have won three of them.

"Also, what you have done in transforming your country and through that transforming the world is fantastic.

"You deserve congratulations for what you have done."

Jeffrey, a former Scotland great, said his main regret in the game was never getting to face the Boks.

"I was fortunate to achieve most things in my career, but the only regret I have was never being able to play in South Africa or against South Africa.

"Looking at the size of these boys, it may just as well - I would hate to think what they would have done to me," he joked.

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