South Africa Rugby World Cup: The Springboks give hope to a troubled nation

South Africans erupted in celebration and relief across the country as their team edged out New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup final in Paris.

Chants of "ibuyile" ("It has returned") rang out after the successful retention of the trophy and a record fourth victory in the competition.

As South Africa faces economic troubles, sporting success is a welcome distraction and a unifying force.

"We hold hope for the country," captain Siya Kolisi said after the victory.

"There aren't a lot of things going right in our country and we have the privilege to be able to do what we love and inspire people in life, not just sports people," he added.

High levels of unemployment and poverty, along with frequent power blackouts, are some of the issues he was referencing.

After the nerve-shredding 12-11 win by the Springboks - the side's famous nickname - those day-to-day issues can be put to one side for a while as the nation basks in the afterglow of victory. And not just any victory - but one achieved against New Zealand's mighty All Blacks, who also went into the final aiming for a fourth World Cup triumph.

"Given the serious challenges that the country and the world is facing, this win could have not come at a better time," Thabo Chauke told the Reuters news agency at a fan zone in Johannesburg.

"As a country, each and everyone, we stand together. We are proud as South Africans," another fan said.

South African sports journalist Mohammed Allie, who was in Paris for the match, said that the squad, and the nature of their hard-fought success, contained a lesson for the nation.

"If there is one thing the country can learn from this Springbok team and this victory is that how, if you work together, if you're determined to achieve a goal, you certainly can do that," he told the BBC.

The Springboks have a contentious history in South Africa.

Before the end of apartheid - the system of legalised racism in South Africa that saw it ostracised by much of the world for three decades - the whites-only team was excluded from previous World Cup tournaments. Even when the ban was lifted, the team was initially seen as a symbol of the oppressive system that had been in place for so long.

But the willingness of Nelson Mandela - the first democratically elected president - to wear the green-and-gold jersey and present the captain with the trophy when the team won its first world cup in 1995 was a powerful moment of reconciliation.

Nearly three decades later, the current President, Cyril Ramaphosa, was also on the pitch for the trophy ceremony in Paris.

"Sport has the power to transform the lives of individuals and lift the spirits of entire nations," he said.

The celebrations will not end this weekend though as many will gather to welcome the team at the airport when they return home on Tuesday. Parades around major cities are also being planned.

Of course, though, the victory does not end the difficulties that many in the country are dealing with and they will still be there when the people come back to earth.