Boks skipper gets upset when Chiefs lose

CAPE TOWN. — The Springboks arrived in Australia on August 27, which is 36 days ago, so it would be fully understandable that after five weeks Down Under, they are longing for home.

Losing three Tests in a row hasn’t helped matters either, with two two-point defeats and a 13-point loss.

Fans have let out their frustration on social media, with one of the popular memes being a photo of a bruised foot that supposedly resembles Faf de Klerk’s — due to all his box-kicks.

Captain Siya Kolisi understands the unhappiness, but hopes that the Boks can repay the faith with a victory in the final Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks on Saturday.

“Some guys read, and some guys don’t read the stuff on social media. Some can handle it, some can’t handle it,’’ he said yesterday.

“But people are passionate about rugby in our country, and we can’t get upset at that.

“People are allowed to have their own opinions, and people are hurting — people were happy with us, and now they’re upset and disappointed.

“It’s obviously not good, what we are going through right now, losing three games in a row.

“But people care, that’s the thing. People care, and this team means different things to different people.

“And I can’t get upset at that — I’m also a fan. I watch my favourite sporting team, and I get upset. I also forget that… I get emotional and react in different ways

“So, I can’t get upset when people do that. I support Liverpool and Kaizer Chiefs! It is tough — we get it from people who know us, friends and family are also hurting.

“So, it’s understandable. It hurts me too — we’re here and playing on the field, and we’re playing the whole time to try and win the games.

“When we lose, it’s tough on us. We understand what people are going through — we can’t get upset at that.

“All we are doing now, we just keep on working. We went back after the game — what could we have done? What did we leave out there? How many opportunities could’ve been taken? —