Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has managed to unite South Africans with another endearing speech following the Springboks’s second victory against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship.
South Africa managed to beat New Zealand 18-12, clinching the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009. The game took place in Cape Town, which is considered “home ground territory” for their opponents.
The Boks now boast four consecutive wins over their rugby rivals.
SIYA KOLISI CELEBRATES ANOTHER EPIC SPRINGBOKS VICTORY IN SPEECH
As he does after every game he plays in, Springboks coach Siya Kolisi thanked the public for their support of the team.
Name-dropping the city where he made his professional debut more than a decade ago for the Stormers and Western Province, Siya teased the crowd by saying: “Hoya, hoya, hoya.”
He added: “Kaapstad, aweh. Dankie”.
Last week, Siya Kolisi had fans in tears when he dedicated the Boks victory, in light of the 30th anniversary of democracy, to all those who had yet to experience freedom.
For the father-of-two, this meant victims of poverty and gender-based violence.
IN IT TO WIN IT
In a media conference this week, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus revealed that Siya Kolisi had delayed a nasal reconstruction procedure to play against the All Blacks this week.
Whilst the decision was undoubtedly painful, Siya stressed that it was a sacrifice he was willing to make.
He said: “It’s not just important for me, the match is huge for the whole team.
“We are in a place we’ve never been before in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and over and above that, we’ve only seen photographs of the Freedom Cup; most of us in this group haven’t touched it.
“We are also playing in Cape Town for the first time in many years, and a good result this weekend could place us in a favourable position to win the competition.”
Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi after fracturing his nose against the All Blacks. Image: Via X: @springboks
Siya’s decision paid off, and the Springboks lifted the Freedom Cup following a well-deserved victory against the All Blacks.