The last time the Springboks played against the All Blacks was at Ellis Park Stadium (now, Emirates Airline Park) in Johannesburg. South Africa was a racially divided country, still finding its feet in a new democracy when Bok veterans like Francois Pienaar and the late Chester Williams achieved the goal of bringing together a nation by winning the William Webb Ellis trophy for the first time ever.
At the time, Springboks captain Siyamthanda ‘Siya’ Kolisi would have been just four years old. However, this does not mean that the legacy of 1995 has not lingered on since then.
At a press conference held on Thursday, the Springboks captain said that there is no bigger game than facing the All Blacks in a Rugby World Cup finals match.
“It’s huge. We have prepared as hard as we can. We know what to expect. I don’t think as a player it would get any bigger. I think it will be the biggest game of my life,” said the 2019 World Cup winning captain.
While Siya may have been too young to remember the iconic victory in 1995, what remains a vivid memory is when former captain John Smit and his team lifted the trophy in 2007 in the exact same stadium the current champions will be defending their title at – Stade de France.
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In a media press conference, the first-ever black captain told reporters that he was inspired to play rugby because of that 2007 game.
“I never thought that I’d be here playing on the same field that at the same place that I was watching John Smit lift the World Cup.”
He added: “This is the stuff you dream about. Honestly, I would be lying if I said this wasn’t one of my dreams to play in the World Cup final in France against the All blacks.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the team enjoyed a day off in France to ease their minds ahead of their final match this coming weekend.
The TikTok video posted on the Rugby World Cup social media page shows Eben Etzebeth and his wife Anlia spotted in the streets of Paris while Bok fans were spoiled by taking some selfies. Later, fellow teammate RG Snyman joined in the festivities.
@rugbyworldcup Etzebeth and Snyman heroes of South Africa 🇿🇦 #RWC2023 #sarugby ♬ aint no mountain high enough – sped up audios
Also see: ‘Go Bokke!’ – Springboks superfan gets ready for World Cup finals
