South Africa are Rugby World Cup champions. It is a remarkable achievement for a team who are almost unrecognisable to the one who were hammered in the Aviva Stadium less than two years ago.
Rassie Erasmus has done an incredible job, forming a close knit team inspirationally led by Siya Kolisi.
The captain spoke after the final whistle, giving one of the all-time interviews. Kolisi came from an disadvantaged background, overcoming adversity to lead his nation to the summit of the game.
In a country which still experiences plenty of problems, he is shining beacon of hope. If he has his way, this win will be a catalyst for change in South Africa.
"We have so many problems in our country. But to have a team like this, we come from different backgrounds, different races and we came together with one goal."
Wow.
Brilliant interview from South Africa's brilliant captain, Siya Kolisi.#ENGvRSA #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/88e6QNpgpU— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 2, 2019
I was grateful for everything that the team has been through. We face a lot of challenges, but the people of South Africa have gotten behind us. We are so grateful to the people of South Africa.
We have so many problems in our country. But to have a team like this who come from different backgrounds, and different races and we came together with one goal, and we wanted to achieve it.
I really hope we have done that for South Africa, to show that we can pull together if we want to achieve something...
Since I have been alive I have never seen South Africa like this, obviously in 1995 what the World Cup did for us. Now with all the challenges we have facing us, the coach told us after the last game that we are not doing this for ourselves anymore, we are playing for the people back home.
That's what we wanted to do today. We appreciate all the support, the people in the townships, the people in the shebeens, homeless people, people in all areas.
Thank you for all the support, we love you South Africa. We can change anything together if we want to, as one.
Inspirational stuff.
