Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Rugby World Cup final 2023: Siya Kolisi says South Africa v New Zealand is biggest game of 'our lifetime'

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Thursday, 26 October 2023 11:39

"I don't think in our lifetime we will get to experience this again, that is how big it is."

New Zealand and South Africa have consistently reigned supreme at the very top of rugby for decades.

Since 2007, either the All Blacks or South Africa have won the Rugby World Cup.

And with three titles each, and the last four between them, no side has won more than these two powerhouses of world rugby.

On Saturday, one of them will become the first nation to reach a coveted fourth title, with South Africa aiming to join their rivals in being the only sides to win it back-to-back.

Added to the fact it is the top two sides in the world rankings going head-to-head, is it the Test match to settle the undisputed number one rugby nation?

"That is why it makes this match so special with all the history behind it. All the battles behind the two teams and now we are both going to create history," Kolisi told the BBC's Rugby Union Daily.

"I don't think in our lifetime we will get to experience this again, that is how big it is. That is why the people are getting behind us."

Having lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 with a 32-12 victory over England, Kolisi is aiming to emulate All Black legend Richie McCaw, who was the first player to lift the trophy twice after back-to-back wins in 2011 and 2015.

The 32-year-old flanker paid respect to his fellow finalists, saying a lot of people in South Africa "look up to them" for inspiration.

"They have been the best in the world for a very long time but we are also a successful country in rugby," the Springboks captain added.

"In my eyes it is the biggest rivalry in rugby history and I am always fortunate and honoured to be part of a game like this.

"Playing the All Blacks in a Rugby World Cup final - number one against two, it is huge."

'So many lost their lives for me to be free'

Despite their recent domination, the sides have only met each other once in a final back in 1995, when Kolisi was four.

South Africa won the game on home soil in Johannesburg, with a Joel Stransky drop-goal in extra time securing an iconic win that helped unite the nation following the end of the apartheid era.

Kolisi added: "1995 was huge, it changed a lot of lives for so many people. So many lost their lives for me to be free and lost their lives for me to be able to put on this jersey.

"So many people fought to try and wear this jersey and they didn't get the opportunity to wear it. For me not to give my best and give everything would betray those people."

Nelson Mandela, the former political prisoner turned unifying president of a nation, presented the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar - an image which went down in history because of the lives it changed.

"The one that brings us together is the 62 million people from our country," the Kolisi said.

"It is South Africa who goes through a lot of different challenges in a year and we are one of the people who can actually control how they feel with their mood.

"We can put a smile on their face but it is not always winning most of the time, it is the effort we put out there. It is how we carry ourselves on and off the field."

The power to once again inspire the nation, like in 2019, is at the forefront of his mind when he lifted the trophy as the first black captain of the Springboks.

Kolisi's rise from someone who used to walk to school without any shoes, to sporting greatness, in his mind should not be idolised.

"I don't see myself how other people see me," he said "I am a father and a husband to my wife and friends to my team-mates that I go to work with every single day.

"It is my responsibility to use this opportunity and platform to give everything I can because many people would give everything to be where I am today.

"I do love what I do but I don't see myself as an icon."

Rugby World Cup finals

1987 - New Zealand 29-9 France - Auckland

1991 - Australia 12-6 England - London

1995 - South Africa 15-12 New Zealand (AET) - Johannesburg

1999 - Australia 35-12 France - Cardiff

2003 - England 20-17 Australia (AET) - Sydney

2007 - South Africa 15-6 England - Paris

2011 - New Zealand 8-7 France - Auckland

2015 - New Zealand 34-17 Australia - London

2019 - South Africa 32-12 England - Yokohama

Read 73 times

Soccer

Source: Al Nassr interested in Utd's Fernandes

Source: Al Nassr interested in Utd's Fernandes

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAl Nassr are one of the Saudi Pro League clubs interested in signin...

Sources: Utd women not told of cancelled awards

Sources: Utd women not told of cancelled awards

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United's women's team found out the club's end of season...

FIFA to clear path for LaLiga, PL games in U.S.

FIFA to clear path for LaLiga, PL games in U.S.

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFIFA has moved towards ending decades of football tradition by revi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Banged-up Cavs add LeVert to G5 injury report

Banged-up Cavs add LeVert to G5 injury report

EmailPrintIn addition to Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (calf) and center Jarrett Allen (rib) agai...

Playing with LeBron 'not my mindset,' Bronny says

Playing with LeBron 'not my mindset,' Bronny says

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- As Bronny James leaned back in his chair and surveyed th...

Baseball

'NBA teams have been tracking this kind of stuff for years': Why load management is MLB's next big thing

'NBA teams have been tracking this kind of stuff for years': Why load management is MLB's next big thing

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFOR DECADES, the story of a major league game has been told by the...

Mizuhara pleads not guilty in procedural step

Mizuhara pleads not guilty in procedural step

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated