2014 Miss World welcomed like a hero in South Africa

Hundreds of South Africans gathered at OR Tambo international Airport in Johannesburg to welcome Rolene Strauss, the newly-crowned Miss World who was returning home from London on Saturday.

Fans danced and cheered as a choir in Johannesburg's Soweto suburb entertained them.

Many carried placards expressing their appreciation to the 22-year-old medical student who was crowned Miss World last week in London.

"Welcome back home beauty Rolene Strauss: Congratulations," reads some of the placards.

Fans burst into excitement when Strauss arrived at about 10am local time, ululating and clapping as others waived the South African flags and cheering the queen who was led to a stage erected inside the airport's waiting lobby.

Strauss became the first Miss South Africa to win the prestigious title since 1974.