‘World respects Boks’
SKIPPER KOLISI: WE’VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS
The hype which had been created before their Pool B World Cup clash against New Zealand in Japan today is a sign the Springboks have won back the respect of the rugby world, captain Siya Kolisi said yesterday.
Kolisi becomes the first black captain to lead the Boks in a World Cup match, and while there is a lot of expectation in carrying the hopes of a nation, he said they were excited to start their campaign.
“We made sure we got the respect back, which is what we have been working on the last two years,” the skipper said.
“I think we are in a good place at the moment and the rivalry is the best it has been for years.”
While the All Blacks have won 58 of their previous 98 meetings, the Boks have made up valuable ground since coach Rassie Erasmus took over.
“The rivalry has been going on since I was a kid,” Kolisi said.
“I remember watching the games when I was young and they have been dominant for a long time, until we started fighting back over the last two years.”
Kolisi believes the battle and speed at the breakdown would be crucial and the outcome of the match would be decided by the “hungrier” team.
“We have had a good buildup, and working hard at training helped to keep the nerves in check, but one can see the buzz and vibes and feel it and everybody is just so keen.
“There’s no better way to start the tournament than a big game like this and we are all just ready to give it our best shot.”
Kolisi said it meant a lot to the team to have the image of the late Chester Williams imprinted on their jerseys.
“I never got to see him play in real time. I think I was one year old when SA first won the World Cup (in 1995) but it was an era that opened up doors for us,” Kolisi said.
“We will always respect him, and I can say the same on the recent passing of James Small. They were massive in the first World Cup win for our country.”