President Cyril Ramaphosa has jokingly told British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson that the British leader should prepare to see him and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi holding the Webb Ellis trophy high this coming Saturday. Ramaphosa has expressed his joy and confidence in our national Rugby side following the Springboks nail biting victory against Wales in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
See you on Saturday BoJo @BorisJohnson when you will be watching Siya, the team and I hoist high Webb Ellis Cup. A STERLING showing once again by the @Springboks. Our national teams have just been doing amazingly on the international stage. #WALvRSA #RWC2019 #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/foDvuTNj5V
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) October 27, 2019
The Boks scraped home with a 19-16 win.
They’ll meet England in the final at Yokohama on Saturday morning. Kick-off is 11am South African time.
Here it is ???
The #RWC2019 #RWCFinal line-up:@EnglandRugby v @Springboks
A repeat of the 2007 RWC Final ✨#RWCYokohama #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/uNkxJwN9BC
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 27, 2019
Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has lauded his side’s performance.
“Losing the previous four matches against them, it could’ve gone their way again, and I’ve got so much respect for Wales and their coach. I thought in that last few minutes they might pull it through again. So I think a little bit of luck on our side. I’m proud of our guys and proud to win against a team like Wales because they’re really a class outfit.”
? “We would love to win the World Cup.”@Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus reflects on a tough battle against Wales in the semi-final and looks forward to a #RWCFinal against England.#WALvRSA #WebbEllisCup #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/3WBsgryFIb
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 27, 2019
Kolisi has thanked South Africans for their support. He says having the country fully behind the Boks made all the difference.
“We all come from different backgrounds and to have so many people from South Africa to come and support us, it means the world to us. And the people back at home; we see your messages, it really means a lot to us. So just keep supporting us and we’ll keep on giving our best.”
? “This means everything to us as a team.”@Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi speaks after his side’s victory over Wales in the #RWC2019 semi-final. South Africa will face England in the #RWCFinal ?#WALvRSA #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/xyDvaq82LK
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 27, 2019
Springbok scrumhalf, Faf de Klerk, credited the team’s forwards for a match-winning effort against Wales. De Klerk says although it wasn’t perfect, he is happy with the team’s performance.
“Honestly, I think we played really well, especially in that first half. We had territory and possession, everything we needed. We played well. But I think too many penalties against us; it kept them in the game, gave them field position and that put us under pressure a bit. But I think, all in all, we played a good game.”
Springbok flyhalf, Handré Pollard, says the side is overjoyed after winning a tense Rugby World Cup match. Damien de Allende scored the Boks’ only try, with Pollard kicking the conversion and four penalties.
Pollard says the team knew Wales were always going to be a tough prospect.
“They play such a specific style of rugby, they just don’t go away. They’re just that kind of team. They never, ever go away. So we prepared ourselves mentally for it. I think our boys were really physical in the set piece tonight, which was great. All credit to them. I think that’s where we could get some field position, get some points on the board, was through our set piece pressure. So very happy with that, but it was a real grinder.”
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