South Africa's World Cup-winning rugby squad arrived home today to a hero's welcome as thousands of supporters turned Johannesburg airport into a sea of green and gold. Around 5,000 people had gathered to welcome the Springboks home from France after Saturday's 15-6 victory against England in the Stade de France made them world champions for the second time.

Jake White, the team's coach, said the reception showed how important the triumph was for the people of South Africa, despite doubts over his future due to rumours of political interference in team selection.

Fans who had camped out overnight roared with delight as John Smit, the South Africa captain, held the Webb Ellis Cup aloft before admitting that his side were still trying to absorb the enormity of their achievement.

"We expected it to be pretty busy but what we walked into was far beyond what we ever imagined," Smit said. "It's something we have worked a lifetime for, but it's something that will take another lifetime to sink in."

White said it was important the Springboks did not repeat the mistakes of their last victory in 1995 which they failed to use as a springboard for racial transformation.

"It's like having the birth of a second child and we have to take advantage of the fact that some countries don't get [such a chance] twice," he said. "We get another opportunity to make sure we don't make the same mistakes again and that's the challenge that lies ahead."

White had previously indicated that he will step down after his contract expires at the end of the year but he was non-committal about his future, saying he would follow the advice of the Eddie Jones, the former Australia coach, and England's World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward and not make any hasty decisions.

"The one thing I did learn from Eddie Jones and Clive Woodward was not to make emotional decisions. The best thing is to take some time off and reflect," he added.

"What I would like to do is take time off, meet my bosses and chat with them, meet with the players and then make a decision in the best interests of everyone concerned."

The rugby authorities are now expected to come under renewed pressure from the government to pick more players of colour in the team, with President Thabo Mbeki saying in a radio interview on Monday night that results were not all important.

"If we are going to lose one or two games in order to achieve that goal [of racial transformation] I think let's lose one or two games," Mbeki told Metro FM.

Bheki Khumalo, Mbeki's former spokesman, warned however against forcing White into a position where he wanted to quit.

"Whatever the political issues ... I really think it would be a moment of disaster if White were to be allowed to depart the scene," Khumalo said. "I really think it would be a moment that I don't think we could explain to our children or our children's children."

White was quick to pay tribute to Smit, who he appointed captain two months before his first test in charge.

"Being the captain of South Africa is unique and John has the ability to get the best out of everyone, whether that be a coloured boy, a black boy, a white Afrikaans boy or a white English boy.

"You can be the best coach in the world, but if you have a bad captain, you'll be a bad coach."

The team is to embark on a series of victory celebrations later in the week, including a reception on Friday with Mbeki which will be followed by an open-top bus tour across Johannesburg and the black township of Soweto.