Siya Kolisi, last night, became the second player to twice captain a Rugby World Cup winning side, following in the footsteps of New Zealand's Richie McCaw.
His reputation as one of the most humble and inspiring players in the game is well deserved, and he showed it again last night as South Africa defeated New Zealand 12-11 in the final at the Stade de France.
Watching the closing moments from the sidelines was Cheslin Kolbe, who was yellow carded for a deliberate knockdown in the 73rd minute.
The TV cameras cut to him on a number of occasions, showing him with his head in his hands and his jersey over his head, barely able to watch, and clearly blaming himself for his side's potential loss, as New Zealand continued their relentless attack.
At the full-time whistle Kolisi was obviously well aware of his friend's struggles, and he raced towards him for a comforting and celebratory embrace at the end of the game.
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Siya Kolisi Embraces Cheslin Kolbe After Epic South Africa World Cup Win
The presence of mind from Kolisi to rush to Kolbe. A true leader.#NZLvRSApic.twitter.com/ur6kibDWHX
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) October 28, 2023
Halloween outfit 2023: Cheslin Kolbe 🤣 pic.twitter.com/LLUwFnkLKn
— The Kiffness (@TheKiffness) October 29, 2023
If you are not South African, you can never understand what “World Cup Springboks” means to this country.
Kolbe carried 65 million people on his shoulders here. Feeling like he let us down, but none of them did. Not a single one of them. #Springboks #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/hdYC92YnCk
— Jeremy Loops (@JeremyLoops) October 28, 2023
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Siya Kolisi Gives His Thoughts After Rugby World Cup Final Win
"At the last World Cup the country was hopeful that maybe there was a chance we could win it and what transpired afterwards was the belief between this team," Kolisi said after his side's epic victory.
"There is not a lot of things going right in our country and we have the privilege to be able to do what we love and inspire people in life, not just sports people.
"Where I come from I couldn't dream I could be here today. We come from different walks of life. I had my own goals and ambitions. I want to look after my family, I want to give back to my community. You need to come and see South Africa to understand. When we come together nothing can stop us, not just in sport but also in life.
"Coach Rassie [Erasmius] said great things are never achieved in ideal conditions, and this wasn't ideal conditions for us as a group. Playing the home team in their home country was one of the hardest things to do and obviously when we played the last game against England, which was tight, we had to fight and today as well, no different.
"The motivation was everything from home and our families. The coaches created an environment for us where we can be with our families no matter where we are, it feels like we are home. There are 15-20 kids running round the hotel. It's one of the greatest things they could have done for us.
"People also from South Africa, some of our friends, they've used their savings to come and watch us.
"For me not to give my 100 per cent on the field would be cheating all those people and that's what the coaches always remind us of. The motivations for us, we don't have to look far."
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