Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has reaffirmed that their newly attained pedigree in world rugby is strongly built on unity and working towards one common goal, namely taking South African rugby to new heights.
South Africa became the first team to ever lose their opening Rugby World Cup game and go on to lift the title.
Despite playing under challenging conditions as well, Kolisi explains how the team had nothing to lose but everything to gain.
The Rassie Erasmus coached side, which had just under two years to prepare for the world showpiece, went through its ups and downs in the early stages of his tenure but soon found its feet with a rare triumph over New Zealand in Wellington. Erasmus explains how that victory over the All Blacks in 2017 turned things around for his charges.
The 28-year-old Kolisi, who has played under Erasmus for majority of his senior professional career, adds that his defining moment for the Springboks ahead of the world cup was their first meeting as a squad with coach Erasmus.
Having enjoyed the winning celebrations with his family and his father, who made it to the final in the nick of time, Kolisi says he appreciated seeing his father, who introduced him to the sport of rugby, there to celebrate with the team. – Report by Thando Gqamane
