‘We play for the nation’: Kolisi on Springboks’ comeback win over France
Captain Siya Kolisi watched on from the sidelines as the Springboks looked to close out their thrilling Rugby World Cup quarter-final against tournament hosts Frace on Sunday evening. It was an all-time classic, but there could only be one winner.
With the Test in the balance, Kolisi was replaced early in the second term. The skippers’ night was over but the Springboks’ still had a job to do against a confident French outfit.
French fullback Thomas Ramos extended the hosts’ lead to six points with a penalty goal shortly after Kolisi was replaced, but it was practically all South Africa from there. Lock Eben Etzebeth scored a decisive try with 13 minutes to play which allowed Handre Pollard to convert the go-ahead points.
Pollard and Ramos traded penalties which saw the Boks lead by just one point with seven minutes to play. There were some big plays, and Kolisi was pretty animated on the sidelines as the full-time siren began to warm up.
France had their moments, but the reigning world champions were simply too good in the end. Without their inspirational skipper on the field, the Springboks held on for a historic comeback win.
"I just thought we really wanted it,” Kolisi said on the field after the one-point win. “We knew how tough it was going to be.
“I must give credit to the guys that came off the bench, they made a huge difference. And the guys that didn't play, the pictures they showed us, so we were ready for this game.
"And most importantly, the people back at home. Honestly, the support that we've received. You know, they can't afford to be here but the videos, the schools singing for us and the videos. That's who we play for. You know our families that are here right now.
"We play for the nation, it's not about us on this field any more, it's about the people back home and that's what's driving us. Win or lose they will see this kind of fight that you saw out there today."
Kolisi appeared more nervous, excited and frustrated as the Test went on. The match was an emotional roller coaster as the clock ticked closer and closer to the 80-minute mark, but the overwhelming feeling in the stadium was anxiousness.
There was a palpable feeling of nerves, excitement and surprise from both French and South African fans. This quarter-final had everything and it’ll surely go down in history as one of the greats.
"It was a hard game. We knew how tough it was going to be with the French team at home and honestly, I just want to say well done to them for what they've achieved and how hard they've worked,” Kolisi added.
“And also to the supporters, the people of France, it's been an amazing tournament and they can be proud of this team."
Latest Comments
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
Go to comments