Not even the pouring Parisian rain could stop the Springboks from fighting until the end of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday night. Following the 12 - 11 win against New Zealand, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi paid tribute to outgoing coach Jacques Nienaber yesterday.
HEARTFELT GOODBYE TO COACH
After speaking fondly of the teams, Siya closed off the post-match media briefing with an emotional tribute to departing coach Jacques Nienaber. "I have worked with Jacques since I was 17 years old, I couldn't tackle [at the start]. When he and Rassie [Erasmus] used to come to training, it was full contact. You had to show that you could do this. We grew up around him...me and Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, and Pieter-Steph du Toit. As I said last week, he cared about us as people," Siya said. "Jacques, honestly, it's been a huge honour for me and a huge privilege, and your wife and the kids. I appreciate you. We love you as a team, not as a coach, but as a person. You've taken it to another level. The way you speak to us, it's not: ?Make a big hit, make a tackle'. You talk to me as a person, as a father, a husband, as a son. It goes such a long way so thank you. We honour you as a team. All the best. They will be lucky to have you wherever you go." Siya currently has three options, to continue as captain of the Springboks, to carry on only as a player, or to retire from the test arena.
THE PARADE
The Springboks became the first team in history to win four titles and the second after New Zealand to win back-to-back World Cups. On Saturday, they had two yellow cards with Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe being cautioned for a high tackle and deliberate knock respectively. With the trophy being with the Mzansi team, they will soon share with fans during a four-day tour on Thursday, 2 November in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Soweto with the day's activities ending at FNB Stadium. On 3 November, the squad heads to Cape Town, then Durban on 5 November before finishing in East London a day later. In 2024, there will be satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay, and other areas which will be confirmed.
PRESIDENTS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the final in France and raised with them the Webb Ellis Trophy. He congratulated the Springboks for their fourth-time win, first in 1995, then, 2007, 2019, and 2023. "Stronger Together is a belief that came to life for Springbok supporters all around our country, continent, and the world. Sport has the power to transform the lives and lift the spirits of entire nations. Siya Kolisi and the 2023 World Cup champions have gifted us an extraordinary, inspired, and inspiring national achievement that lifts our hearts and hoists our flag even higher," Ramaphosa said.
?NO HOLIDAY AS YET
South Africans have been waiting for President Cyril Ramaphosa to confirm whether he will live up to his word of possibly announcing a holiday following the Boks 2-11 win against New Zealand. Delivering an address at the Green Hydrogen Summit, before the final, the president jokingly said he would consider a request to declare a public holiday if the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup. On Sunday morning, the Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the confusion. "Tomorrow is day one of matric exams, and a public holiday will be very disruptive to their exam schedule. Please ignore fake announcements, got work tomorrow, work hard like a true World Champion, and wait for the president's address in the evening," wrote Magwenya. Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga clarified further. "Thank you, Springboks - Monday is a normal working day. Matric exams are starting in earnest," he posted.
