Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Siya Kolisi: What 'other countries don’t understand' about South Africa

South Africa's flanker and captain Siya Kolisi gestures while speaking during the Springboks Champions trophy tour at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on November 2, 2023, after South Africa won the France 2023 Rugby World Cup final match against New Zealand. (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO / AFP) (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO/AFP via Getty Images)

Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks captain Siya Kolisi insists that the hardships faced by citizens of South Africa are what sets them apart as a nation.

ADVERTISEMENT

What’s more, Kolisi believes that ‘diversity’ is South Africa’s greatest strength.

Kolisi was speaking upon return to South African soil following on from the Boks’ victorious World Cup campaign in France. South Africa edged arch-rivals New Zealand 12-11 to achieve a record fourth World Cup title and their second in a row in a gripping Final last Saturday in Paris.

The popular captain was given the opportunity to address both the nation and President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Racing 92 flanker thanked the President and his cabinet and “most importantly” the people of South Africa for their support.

Video Spacer

CJ Stander speaks about the value Jacques Nienaber will add to Leinster

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      CJ Stander speaks about the value Jacques Nienaber will add to Leinster

      “We chose to dedicate this World Cup to you, the people, because we are where we are today because of you,” the Bok skipper said in his public address. “The other countries don’t understand. You have to be a South African to understand the hardships you go through in this country.

      “We are very diverse [as a team],” he said, adding: “Diversity is our strength in South Africa.

      “I want to encourage [you] Mister President and the cabinet, we need to use our diversity a bit more.

      “It is a powerful force that a lot of countries don’t have, that we can use.

      “Coming from different backgrounds and different areas, we see life differently.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “The more we share towards South Africa, the more we put South Africa first and work for South Africa.

      “Everything I do is focused on that and that is what we did as a group of players.

      “You can use that in the country.”

      https://x.com/Newzroom405/status/1719979770123800595

      It is hoped that the Springboks win can help galvanise a country that suffers from power outages, political unrest, poverty and high levels of both violent crime and sexual assaults.

      Related

       

      ADVERTISEMENT

      HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Men's Highlights

      HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Women's Highlights

      Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

      Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

      Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

      Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      The Rise of Kenya | The Report

      The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      27 Comments
      R
      R 526 days ago

      Same old speech since 1995.
      Congrats on the win.
      It'll take a lot more than rugby to sort out the issues of SA.

      R
      Rassie 526 days ago

      Wow. Why can’t he just enjoy the win without embarrassing himself?

      It’s like the drunk at the party boring you to death because “you don’t know what it’s like for us”

      Yeah great. Thanks. Now please stop dribbling on me and go bore someone else.

      U
      Utiku Old Boy 527 days ago

      Diversity is hardly uniquely South African - nor is hardship. PR spin.

      Load More Comments

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      LONG READ
      LONG READ Morgane Bourgeois’ Women's Six Nations notebook: The 2nd Chapter Morgane Bourgeois’ Women's Six Nations notebook: The 2nd Chapter
      Search