Kolisi
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says the country will be united by his team’s victory against New Zealand in the World Cup finalAMP in Paris.
The Springboks retained the trophy with a 12-11 win, four years after their triumph in Japan.
Kolisi becomes the second captain to retain the trophy after Richie McCaw’s All Blacks won in 2011 and 2015.
“People not from South Africa don’t understand what it means for our country,” Kolisi told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It is not just about the game. Our country goes through such a lot. We are just grateful that we can be here. I want to tell the people of South Africa ‘thank you so much’.
“This team just shows what you can do. As soon as we work together, all is possible, no matter in what sphere.
“In the field or in offices, it shows what we can do. I am grateful for this team. I am so proud of it.”
Speaking to ITV, Kolisi – South Africa’s first black captain – added: “There is so much going wrong in our country – we are the last line of defence. So many people are helpless and there is so much division, but we show there is hope.
“Look what the sport did in 1995. Without that, I wouldn’t be here. There were people before that who fought for people that look like me to be in the jersey.”