JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 10 -- Although defending champions South Africa lost to Australia in the quarterfinal of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the team known as Springboks, received a tumultuous welcome home at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on Monday.

Talk Radio 702 in Johannesburg reported that hundreds of fans arrived to welcome the team back home.

South African rugby fans screamed when Coach Peter de Villiers appeared from the terminal with his trademark smile on his face.

The team's captain John Smit and Vice-captain Victor Matfield said they did not expect such a huge welcome.

The coach paid tribute to Smit and Matfield for all their determination that they had given in rugby for the past years.

Springbok wing Bryan Habana, who set a national record of 41 tries for his country, said they are disappointed.

"I'm disappointed in the results and it is a game. There is a winner and a loser," Habana said.

Rugby World Cup is held every four years. South Africa, who won in 1995 and 2007 was hoping to become the first to retain the title and the first to win the title three times.

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