The two-time Rugby World Cup champions are in England after winning 41-13 against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.
In true South African style, the Springbok players remained in high spirits after their flight home was cancelled, singing and dancing inside Heathrow Airport in the UK.
It's past midnight at Heathrow Airport and the flight is cancelled. @Springboks I'm dancing.
It doesn't seem real… I'm tired, I'm dirty and I don't know when my flight will be rescheduled. But the Springboks are dancing😍🇿🇦 #Bokke 🤩 pic.twitter.com/rGl5YWyVKm— Shantini Naidoo (@ShantzN) June 23, 2024
The two-time Rugby World Cup champions are in England after winning 41-13 against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.
Related article: Springboks to announce squad for Ireland match after strong performance against Wales
In a post shared by writer Shantini Naidoo on her X account, Bok players can be seen singing to pass the time while waiting for their flight, with captain Siya Kolisi looking the most energetic as he led the team in song.
I was a little embarrassed to ask if I could buy it. Follow I bought a cake at the airport in London. I'm flying home so I'll give you some dessert. @Springboks 🇿🇦😮 pic.twitter.com/rLyn6YyK7G
— Shantini Naidoo (@ShantzN) June 23, 2024
The team didn't seem annoyed by the delay and spent time taking photos and interacting with some people at the airport.
The flight was cancelled 😮💨 but there were smiles and songs to sing… as only South Africans can do 🇿🇦 https://t.co/Iy5nHBjW60 pic.twitter.com/Z4OgYLJ04l
— Shantini Naidoo (@ShantzN) June 23, 2024
Expected team changes
The Springboks were due to announce their squad for their upcoming series against Ireland and Portugal on Sunday night or Monday morning, but the flight delay may have stalled those plans.
The 35-man training squad for the Wales match included 11 uncapped players but that number has been reduced to seven with four making their debuts.
UK and Europe-based players such as Kolisi, Steven Kitshoff, Kobus Reinack, Jan Klein and Trevor Nyakane are among those likely to be selected, while injured players such as Lukhanyo Am and Damien Willemse could also return if fit.
Other Bulls players who could be included in the squad include Willy le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moody, Marco van Staden, Erlig Lau, Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Lau, Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp.
“We will announce the squad for the Ireland series on Sunday night or Monday morning. It'll be between 35 and 40 players but depending on how the Ireland series goes we may recall some players from here and there to give them a chance to play against Portugal,” Bok coach Rachid Erasmus said.
“Some weeks we might have four or five players come in for extra training with us to gain experience as part of the squad – Andre Hugo Venter, Neethling (Fouché) and a couple of other Bulls players who haven't had this experience yet.”
“So it won't be a totally different team that will train with us, it will be a slightly extended team. We just need to overcome the injuries,” Erasmus said.
Additional reporting by Ross Roche
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