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'We found a way' - Siya Kolisi lauds team despite 'awful' discipline
By Ian Cameron
South African captain Siya Kolisi has lauded his Springboks side after they snatched a one-point victory from the jaws of defeat, battling back to beat England 16-15 in a thrilling Rugby World Cup semi-final in the Stade de France.
England lead the game right up until the final six minutes after a long-range Handre Pollard penalty saved the day for the Boks.
Jacques Nienaber was visibly shaken after the game as the Springboks brains trust breathed a sigh of relief.
Speaking directly after the game, Kolisi said: "It's honestly all the hard work we have put in came off. It was really ugly today but that is what champions are made of. Credit to England, they have worked hard.
"They were written off before the World Cup. Coach Steve [Borthwick] and Owen [Farrell] and the team pulled themselves together and showed who they are.
"They are not a team you take lightly, all credit to them for being in the semi-final today. To my team as well it was ugly today like it was last week but we found a way to fight back and get back into the game. Well done to the boys. I am really proud of the fight that was showed, especially the guys who came off the bench once again."]
Kolisi admitted the England had the best of it in most aspects of the game, especially the kicking game.
"England did so well in the kicking game, they outplayed us in that. Our discipline was awful in the first half, especially in the key areas where they could take the points. But I thought we fought back in the second half, we showed who we are and what we can do with a full 23.
"It's going to be as big as it was tonight [playing New Zealand in the final]. The All Blacks played really well last night but we want to thank the South African supporters who came all the way here to support us and the ones back at home as well. Next week is going to be hard, it's going to be special but may they stay with us and hopefully we can defend it."
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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