Kolisi puts team first

MILESTONE: TODAY’S WORLD CUP FINAL IS SPRINGBOK CAPTAIN’S 50TH TEST

Francois Pienaar lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 1995 and John Smit did it in 2007. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has the chance to follow in their footsteps when they play England in the World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan this morning.

An entire nation is behind the Springbok team, backing their boys to bring home the World Cup for a third time, despite entering the final as underdogs against the unbeaten English team.

Kolisi yesterday put team and country above his personal milestone of turning out in his 50th Test match in the Rugby World Cup final against England today.

“We know how much rugby means to our country and what it has done in the past,” Kolisi said on the eve of the showpiece match, adding that the team had been overwhelmed by the support from back home.

“It is big back at home. I haven’t seen this much support since I have been in the team.

“We have seen the videos and I can’t imagine what it will be like if we win the trophy.

“President [Cyril Ramaphosa] was speaking about it in parliament, asking the whole country to wear Springbok jerseys and, if you’re in a car, to hoot at one o’clock,’’ said Kolisi, who will lead his side out for the 20th time.

“I’m very happy that I have reached 50 – not a lot of Springboks have achieved that – but the most important thing is that I do my bit for the team and everything else will fall into place.”

Kolisi downplayed his own milestone, saying that it would be a special day for every man in the team.

All the players knew what was expected of them in order to maintain the Boks’ 100% winning record in finals after winning the trophy in 1995 and 2007.

“I was very young in 1995 when South Africa first won the World Cup and I don’t remember anything about that, although I have seen the videos and the images – it was definitely beautiful.

“I got to experience it in 2007 when I watched and I saw what it did for the country, and it does make a huge difference.

‘’It’s not just another game; it’s the World Cup final. Not many people get this opportunity and we know that as a team – so the emotions are high, we’ve just got to channel those emotions in the right way,” he said.

If the Boks beat England today, they will become the first team to lose a World Cup pool match to go on to win the trophy.

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Pictures: Gallo Images THREE-PEAT? Springbok centre Hennie le Roux, right, lifts skipper Francois Pienaar on his shoulders after they beat New Zealand in extra-time to win the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time in 1995. The Springboks celebrate their second triumph 12 years later under the leadership of John Smit when they beat England in the final in Paris. Can the Boks win for a third time in Yokohama, Japan today?