Durban came out to cheer the Springboks but some fans were left stranded
While some Springbok fans were smiling from ear to ear after seeing the Rugby World Cup Champions in Durban, many more had disappointment written on their faces when the Bok victory tour bus failed to arrive on their routes which had appeared on the official tour plan.
Some supporters have told Newswatch they waited for hours in their jerseys and with their flags only to be left stranded.
Local resident, Michelle Stanley says she and the crowd that had gathered on Queen Nandi Drive had to turn back after the no-show.
"People on Queen Nandi were waiting there, waiting in anticipation and there these guys, the police car drives pass [saying] 'Sorry, the Sringboks have changed their route they are already in Durban Central' Oh my gosh, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I was so disappointed," she said.
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Allister Govender says he was left confused by what happened.
"It is quite disappointing, because they changed the route and there were over 2 000 people standing on the side of the road, waiting.
"I had to drive around telling everyone that they couldn't make it. As we were there, we phoned and they told us they are coming the next thing we see [on television] that they were going down the N2, into town which is really disappointing for most of the fans," he said.
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WATCH: Boks fans left waiting as the Victory tour bus is a no show on Queen Mandi Drive @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/Rj5ndXw4vl
— Logic Malinga (@Logic_Malinga) November 8, 2019
Dozens of fans who had also been waiting along Riverside Road had their hopes of seeing and celebrating the team dashed, when they realised the bus had taken a different route into the city centre.
Newswatch contacted both the eThekwini Metro Police Department and City officials, who have both declined to comment.
Newswatch has also reached out to SA Rugby for comment.
Meanwhile, the team was received at Durban City Hall by Premier Sihle Zikalala, who said the victory and the Webb Ellis trophy were symbolic of what the country stands for.
He urged citizens to strive to maintain the unity the victory has brought.
These fans were happy to have been a part of the celebrations at City Hall.
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