Coming off a sensational semi-final win over England last night, South Africa's Rugby team is now poised to defend their Rugby World Cup title against New Zealand in the forthcoming weekend. The Springboks triumphed with an awe-inspiring comeback in the second-half, overturning a 15-6 deficit with just ten minutes remaining. They secured the 16-15 victory through a crucially converted try and a penalty goal.
“We owe a lot to England. They put forth a strategic and challenging game plan which pushed us,” admitted Nienaber, their coach, adding that potential adjustments might be necessary if New Zealand adopted a similar approach in the final. However, he lauded his team's resilience: “The team showed great strength, finding ways to triumph despite the complications. They persisted until the end, not seizing control of the game until the 70th minute. I couldn’t be prouder.”
His thoughts were mirrored by the team captain, Kolisi: “Beating a world-class team like England required us to give our all. I am particularly proud of my team’s fighting spirit.”
He continued, “It feels fantastic to be defending our title. It didn’t matter if the match wasn't pretty, our sole focus was to ensure a win for South Africa. England showcased exceptional skills and we really had to struggle to make it to the final."
Kolisi and Nienaber were unanimous in their praise for the team’s collective effort, including both the squad and the replacements who came in during the second half. With under two minutes left, South Africa snatched the win with a late try from RG Snyman, a conversion by Handre Pollard followed by a 50m penalty goal bringing them into the lead.
Both Kolisi and Nienaber recognized these moments as pivotal. When asked if there were any doubts about Pollard making the winning penalty goal, Kolisi confidently stated, “There was no doubt. He's done it before.” He also highlighted the all-encompassing role of the squad by saying, “The victory was a joint effort. Each player's contribution, whether they played or not, was crucial."
Kolisi added that the passionate support from their fans in South Africa and across Africa was what fueled the team. He revealed, “We constantly feel the overwhelming love, even in our hotel where a screen shows messages from supporters.” He also noted distinctively that South Africans watch matches at malls, reflecting the unity and fervor of their fans.
The team is set to have a rest day on Sunday before continuing their training on Monday in preparation for Saturday's final against New Zealand at the Stade de France.
