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...

New Zealand 11-12 South Africa: Siya Kolisi says World Cup final win will unite country

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Saturday, 28 October 2023 16:12

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says the country will be united by his team's victory against New Zealand in the World Cup final in Paris.

The Springboks retained the trophy with a 12-11 win, four years after their triumph in Japan.

Kolisi becomes the second captain to retain the trophy after Richie McCaw's All Blacks won in 2011 and 2015.

"People not from South Africa don't understand what it means for our country," Kolisi told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It is not just about the game. Our country goes through such a lot. We are just grateful that we can be here. I want to tell the people of South Africa 'thank you so much'.

"This team just shows what you can do. As soon as we work together, all is possible, no matter in what sphere.

"In the field or in offices, it shows what we can do. I am grateful for this team. I am so proud of it."

Speaking to ITV, Kolisi - South Africa's first black captain - added: "There is so much going wrong in our country - we are the last line of defence. So many people are helpless and there is so much division, but we show there is hope.

"Look what the sport did in 1995. Without that, I wouldn't be here. There were people before that who fought for people that look like me to be in the jersey."

Kolisi only returned to the Springbok side during their World Cup warm-up campaign in August after recovering from surgery on his partially torn anterior cruciate ligament.

He played an influential role in leading the defending champions to back-to-back finals, where they met old foes New Zealand in a repeat of the 1995 showpiece.

The All Blacks lost captain Sam Cane to an upgraded red card after he was adjudged to have made direct contact with the head of Jesse Kriel in a tackle, before Kolisi was also sent to the sin-bin for a high challenge on Ardie Savea.

Unlike his opposite number, Kolisi returned to the field as he was deemed to have mitigation, as the resilient Boks held out in the final stages.

"We knew New Zealand would come more after the red card. That is why they have been so successful over the years and then obviously my moment of naughtiness cost us with a yellow card.

"In the last World Cup we were kind of hoping to get the name of the Springboks back, but now people were expecting us to do it.

"We have played against teams who have done this before. Nobody gave England a chance when they played us [in the semi-finals] and they showed who they are, and then New Zealand today.

"I'm really proud of what the boys have done."

Former England captain Martin Johnson, who won the World Cup in 2003, said neither player deserved to be sent off.

"He [Kolisi] put his head into someone's jaw and stayed on the field," Johnson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I would have not sent either of them off - they were both accidents.

"One captain has been off the field for 50 minutes and one hasn't."

Read 130 times

Soccer

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Diego Simeone's 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alave...

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a m...

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has hit back at anyone questioning Bukayo Saka's commi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

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