‘It does get lonely’: Siya Kolisi’s assessment of ‘special’ All Blacks

The All Blacks are potentially 80 minutes away from Rugby World Cup glory. Many didn’t consider that to be a likely possibility before the tournament following New Zealand’s disastrous 35-7 loss to South Africa.

Playing at Twickenham two months ago, first-half tries to Kurt-Lee Arendse and captain Siya Kolisi spurred the Springboks on to a famous win. It was a record defeat for the All Blacks.

With two weeks to go until the Rugby World Cup opener, rugby fans and pundits the world over dismissed the All Blacks off as a mere pretender. But the men in black kept chipping away in silence.

The All Blacks have silenced some critics on the road to a record fifth World Cup final appearance. They’ve beaten Italy, Ireland and Argentina on the road to their third decider in four tournaments.

While the horrors, disappointment and shock of that emphatic loss to South Africa will never go away, the All Blacks have an opportunity to etch their names into the history books on Saturday.

But, in a rather fitting end, it’s the very same Springboks outfit who stand in their way.

"A lot of people said they wouldn‘t play in a World Cup final, but the fight they’ve shown this year says a lot about the team. They could have just given up and said it’s just not our year. They kept on and now they are in a World Cup final,” Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said.

"It’s not easy. They have to play for a country that has been successful for so many years. That takes a lot of you. It does get lonely, it does get dark. You sit there and think, 'am I capable of doing this?', but then you have good men around you like I do who support you all the time.

"They also have stuck together. That’s what makes them a special team."

South Africa placed second in pool play after losing to Ireland, but thrilling knockout victories over France and England saw them stay in the hunt for rugby's top prize.

The Springboks are looking to become just the second nation - after New Zealand - to go back-to-back after winning the Rugby World Cup four years ago in Japan.

But the All Blacks will do everything they can to make sure that doesn't happen.

This rivalry is something else - it's both fierce and brutal, and sets up a gladiatorial battle between two sets of rugby warriors in a rematch of a famous World Cup final.

"The game from 1995, it's so special. I think I was four then. I didn't get to watch but obviously seeing videos of it and also the significance of the game is huge,” Kolisi added.

"It opened a lot of doors for me and many others. It was an important game not just for the Eastern Cape, I think for South Africa in general.

"It can't get bigger than this. It will mean a lot to South Africa, as we've seen what's happening back at home. I am sure you've seen all the videos that are coming through. It's huge, I can't explain it."