The South African cricket team received a hero’s welcome upon their arrival back in South Africa after being crowned World Test champions. Supporters were at OR Tambo Johannesburg on Wednesday to welcome home World Test Championship winners South Africa.
Captain of the South Africa men’s Cricket Team, the Proteas, Temba Bavuma, and coach Shukri Conrad were the first to greet cheering supporters, with both holding the Mace they received for being crowned champions. Each player then carried a bouquet of flowers while shaking hands with some supporters, hugging others, and signing autographs. Kagiso Rabada who took nine wickets in the final is another key figure as South Africa triumphed for the first time since lifting the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy (now Champions Trophy).
ALSO READ: Zakes Bantwini completes his program at Harvard Business School
Brian Gabela said, “I had to be here and welcome the boys home. They have suffered so many heartbreaks during the past two decades. Now we are champions of the world. I was pessimistic when we trailed by 74 runs after the first innings, but a magnificent second knock from Aiden Markram turned the tide,” he said. South Africa will next be in action on June 28 when they face northern neighbours Zimbabwe in the first of two Tests in Bulawayo. Bavuma will lead the team, but Markram and Rabada are being rested. Among the five uncapped players called up are Titans duo Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Lesego Senokwane.
