The captain of South Africa's rugby team, John Smit, has said he hopes their victory in the World Cup would help his country to put aside racial divisions.
He said he hoped the victory would unite the country as much as it did when the Springboks won the trophy for the first time 12 years ago.
South African President Thabo Mbeki joined the post match festivities in Paris.
Thousands of people in South Africa itself poured out on to the streets in black townships and wealthy suburbs.
South Africa defeated England 15 points to 6.
