Bryan Habana took a moment out of his press conference on Wednesday to pay tribute to a South African school teacher and rugby coach who was tragically killed in a gang attack.
Zukisa Kela, his fiancée and another couple were attacked by a 12 man gang in a Johannesburg park. Kela and a friend both drowned after they were tied up and thrown into the Rhodes Park' lake by the gang.
The attack has been strongly condemned by the South African government on Monday.
Habana, who was speaking at the squad's hotel in Guildford, London, had these touching words for the Kela's family and friends.
On behalf of the Springboks and South African rugby to Zukisa Kela and his family for the tragedy that happened over in South Africa, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
To see the support and passion he had for the Springboks makes the reason we play this game, the reason we play for South Africa and play for our country so much more special.
Habana also spoke about the responsibility that the Springbok players will have on Saturday in helping a grieving Protea nation and he hoped that a win on the weekend against New Zealand could in some way unite a nation like it did in 1995.
Rugby has been really fortunate to have given our country back so much, to have united in a way like no other, and inspired and given hope like never before.
That iconic moment of the late Nelson Mandela giving Francois Pienaar that trophy back in 1995, that was a watershed moment not only for myself and a lot of players, but for our country.
Going out there on Saturday we'd like just to inspire, to give back and to hopefully unite a nation that so dearly needs it at the moment.
These were measured and considered words from one of the true gentlemen in world rugby.
