The Springboks arrived in Sydney on Sunday, amidst claims that there never was an emergency landing in Johannesburg last Friday.

The Boks, who will face Australia in the opening Tri-Nations match in Sydney on Saturday, returned to Johannesburg after the team's flight to Australia was forced to return shortly after departing due to engine failure.

The team arrived in Sydney 31 hours later than scheduled.

"We have obviously been disrupted, but we have managed it and now we're just looking forward to getting back to preparing for a Test match on Saturday," said Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.

"That's our only focus now and it'll be good to get back onto the training ground on Monday."

The Springboks will have their first field training session at the North Sydney Oval on Monday.

The Boks' air carrier, Quantas, denied there was issues with safety, following media reports that an engine exploded.

A spokesperson for the company, Olivia Wirth, said one of the engines on the plane experienced an "increase in vibration and temperature".

"In line with procedures, the pilots shut down the engine, and as a safety precaution returned to Johannesburg," Wirth said.

"The aircraft had a normal landing not long afterwards and the passengers disembarked. The aircraft has four engines and can safely fly on three engines.

"We are currently looking at options to get the aircraft back in the air as soon as possible."

This was in stark contrast with reports from within the team.

"Wow, just had to do an emergency landing at OR Tambo," Bok captain John Smit posted on social networking site Twitter after the incident last Friday.

"We lost an engine after takeoff but safely landed now! My second safe emergency landing!"

Lock Alistair Hargreaves was one of the players who suggested it was more serious.

"@Al_Hargreaves: So Quantas have to send another aircraft which means 1 more night in jhb. @GaryGoldrugbyiq reckons he checked flames coming out the engine!"

Gold backed that statement.

"@GaryGoldrugbyiq: Wish I never watched #carteblanche on the #quantas 380 incident! Our engine just blew on take off and we just returned to Jhb, not much fun!"

Utility loose forward Ashley Johnson also spoke of an 'explosion'.

"@ashj1605: Back in joburg!! Our nr3 enjin exploded with a big bang!!!"

Gold later seemed to regain his sense of humour.

"Irony that there is a petrol strike in Johannesburg and we just dumped 65 tons of fuel to land."

The Bok captain, Smit, on Sunday thanked fans on the social networking site, Twitter, for their support after the flight ordeal of the weekend.

"Safely landed in Sydney and ready for a great week ahead, thanks for all the well wishes people!," Smit tweeted.