South Africa disregard Rugby World Cup record as England sent ominous warning
Chessum previews England's World Cup semi-final with South Africa
Siya Kolisi gave a revealing insight into the elemental forces that are driving South Africa in their quest to become only the second team to land back-to-back Webb Ellis Cups. They face England in the Rugby World Cup semifinal on Saturday in a rematch of the 2019 final.
It is not the prize of the trophy itself, which South Africa’s inspirational captain raised to the Yokohama skies four years ago after their crushing win over England, although that would be appreciated of course. It turns out it is something less tangible but to Kolisi far more precious – the feeling of lifting a nation.
“We are a purpose-driven team, not a trophy-driven team,” he said. “It’s always more purposeful when you’re not doing things for yourself, when you are playing for others that you don’t even know.
“When you think of how many people would give anything to be where we are; how many people in our country are unemployed. We use that pain and those struggles and put them on our shoulders and carry them with us to drive us through the battles. It helps us to keep going when it’s tough.
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“When you start playing for others and doing things for others, it’s not easy to give up. I’m not saying we’re going to win every game, but giving up and not giving everything would be cheating not just myself but everyone at home.”
Kolisi, who lived the struggle himself during a childhood of abject poverty in Zwide township in the Eastern Cape, has been moved by the response to South Africa’s march to the semifinal from thousands of miles away.
“I wish you could see all the support back home,” he said. “Kids in schools are sending us clips of them singing – because they know some of us like singing. People at work on Fridays wear green jerseys and the beautiful thing to see is that people who can’t afford them wear anything green, anything to represent the Springboks. We see that and it continues to motivate us.”
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Plenty back in South Africa are already looking towards a final against New Zealand but Kolisi insists the side will not be taking England lightly.
“We are not silly,” he said. “They have improved compared to before the World Cup. You can see the intent, the work-rate, the aggression they have around the field. It’s why they are the only unbeaten team in the tournament.”
Boks coach Jacques Nienaber believes he knows exactly what to expect from England: a lot of kicking.
“They are comfortable not playing with the ball,” said Nienaber. “They like to strangle you, kick the ball in your half, apply the pressure and wait for you to make a mistake
“We know what’s coming. We just need to make sure we execute on the day.”
The Springboks announced an unchanged team for the semifinal yesterday. They did so in Presles, 25 miles north of Paris, in the unusual setting of a village hall where the then-unknown Charles Aznavour delivered his first public performance.
Near their out-of-town training base, it was certainly a little different to the swish multi-sports training complex in the east of the French capital where England revealed their hand.
The world champions were magnificent in their epic quarterfinal win against France last weekend and, if they hit the same notes tomorrow night, they will be an insurmountable hurdle for England.
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