Winning might be the be-all and end-all for most Springbok supporters, but the Green and Gold has started to mean so much more for the greater public.
It has become an emblem of hope and inspiring the next wave of rugby players that could one day represent the nation, is just as important as any result on the field.
It was the reason why Bok players Ox Nche, Makazole Mapimpi, Elrigh Louw and Morné van den Berg visited Klipspruit, Soweto, yesterday to facilitate a training clinic for learners from around Johannesburg.
The quartet was welcomed by pupils who cheered their names and swooned as they spoke about what the game has taught them and how it has improved their lives.
They happily signed shirts between running drills and coaching skills on the astro turf of the Nike Football Training Centre.
Afterwards, Nche – recently returned from Australia, where the Boks demolished the Wallabies in back-to-back Rugby Championship clashes – expressed the importance of returning to the community and helping educate the next generation of rugby players.
Said Nche: “It is important for us to be here to show all these youngsters that we are actually also human, and that we are not that far off.
“We have different backgrounds, and some are similar to theirs. They can become Springboks or pursue whatever they want. It is important for us to talk to them, and that it is real and valid (to dream about becoming a Bok).
“You think of South Africa as a third-world country that is competing against first-world countries, and we still overcome,” the Bok prop added.
“That makes it even more worthwhile, because you know exactly how much South Africans sacrifice to have a small handful of what you have. It reminds you that you have come a long way.”
It was a sentiment shared by Van den Berg, who only recently realised his dream of wearing the Bok emblem on his chest.
“I grew up in Westdene (a suburb in Johannesburg),” said the Hoerskool Linden alum, “which is not too far from here, so it is really special to come here and to hopefully inspire.
“I remember as a kid Springbok rugby and what it could do. Hopefully, they feel they can make it and ignite a dream.”
‘Krappie’ has earned two caps for the Boks, including a first start – against the Wallabies this past weekend.
It was a difficult outing for the No 9 in tough conditions, but Van den Berg revealed that the support of his teammates – including scrumhalves Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams – will only help improve his skills.
“I initially met Faf when I was a junior at the Lions,” said the 26-year-old.
“He has paved the way for guys like me to believe that I can make it. Once I got to the Springboks, he is such an inspirational guy.
“Him, Cobus and Grant, it is so special to work with all three of them. All of them have taken me in and helped me, while giving me advice where they can and really pushing me to work hard. Their mentorship is really special.”
Van den Berg won’t form part of the squad that will face the All Blacks in two Championship matches from next weekend in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with coach Rassie Erasmus opting for the scrumhalf trio of Jaden Hendrikse, Reinach and Williams.
Nevertheless, having become a Bok, Van den Berg now hopes to have another opportunity in the near future.
“Hopefully, this is only the beginning,” he said. “That taste has only given me motivation to work harder, to push harder and to want it even more.”