After receiving abuse on social media, Siya Kolisi advises Springboks supporters to leave All Black Jordie Barrett alone.

South African rugby captain Siya Kolisi has told his fans to leave All Black Jordie Barrett alone after he copped abuse on social media for a suggested snub after Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final.

After defeating the All Blacks 12–11 in Sunday’s final to become the first men’s side to win a fourth World Cup championship, the Springboks were greeted as heroes when they returned home today.

In a press conference today, an unprompted Kolisi went out of his way to defend Barrett’s actions after the All

The midfield player for the Blacks faced backlash on social media when it was said in a video that he failed to shake South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s hand when he accepted his silver medal at the trophy presentation.

Barrett was a key player for the All Blacks during their World Cup run. Late in the game, he had a chance to give his team the lead with a penalty kick, but it missed.

Kolisi stated in a news conference today, “After the game, a video of Jordie Barrett appeared on TikTok, and someone believes he didn’t shake the president’s hand. He’s been receiving a lot of criticism from people.”

“Obviously it’s tough losing a World Cup final and getting that on social media is not good. I know him personally and he’s someone I know very well – he’s not that type of person. The video was taken probably after he shook the president’s hand and we just wanted to say we the South African team are fully behind him. We respect New Zealand a lot, they respect us a lot. So please let’s just celebrate. There’s nothing worse than losing a

game and receiving all these messages on social media at the same time. It’s been really difficult for him, his family, and the squad, obviously. We support him as a South African squad, Kolisi declared.

After more than 70 days away, the All Blacks finally touch down in Auckland today.Thousands rugby Springboks fans braved the chilly, rainy weather to assemble at O.R. Tambo International Airport to welcome the team as they returned to South Africa.

As Kolisi arrived at the arrivals terminal with the Webb Ellis trophy in hand and his teammates around him, the fans went wild.

Many people were wearing their green and gold Springboks jerseys, waving South African flags, and putting up banners with words of congratulations for the team. It was a colorful event.

The Gautrain train service to the airport, where traffic to the main terminals was congested all morning, was free for supporters wearing Springbok jerseys or any other South African colors.

To welcome the squad back into the nation, a band from the South African Police Service played the national anthem and other well-known South African tunes.