Erasmus insisted WC trophy glory belong to Kolisi

Shy Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus refused to accept the 2019 Rugby World Cup trophy with skipper Siya Kolisi in Japan, TV footage has revealed eight months after the final. It shows Kolisi, the first black player to captain South Africa, going behind his teammates and pleading with Erasmus to come forward and share the special moment.

But Erasmus, who transformed the national team from a laughing stock to world champions within 18 months of succeeding sacked Allister Coetzee, refused to budge.

The footage captures Kolisi making an impassioned plea to his coach to come forward with him after South Africa had beaten England 32-12 in the final in Yokohama.