ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Watch the incredible scenes as Kolisi returns home with the World Cup trophy

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Tuesday Oct 31, 2023

Siya Kolisi has returned to South Africa as he receives the rapturous applause of a nation brought together by rugby.

As Kolisi said in his post-match press conference, “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”. The sport of rugby, and this win in particular, has come a long way to help bring a nation some optimism.

As the Springboks returned to Kempton Park in South Africa, the impact of the World Cup victory was truly noticeable for the first time. An incredible crowd arrived at the airport to welcome the lads back in scenes that will warm the heart of any South African.

See Kolisi appear with the trophy here:

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking about the impact that this win will have on his team and country, Kolisi said:

“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.

“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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Including the special impact that head coahc Jacques Neinaber has had on his, and his teammates careers, Kolisi address the senior man, saying:

“It hasn’t been an easy journey. I can’t believe what we’ve achieved today. The coaching staff have been ridiculous. I have worked with Jacques since I was 17 years old. I couldn’t tackle. When him and Rassie [Erasmus] used to come to training it was full contact. You had to show that you could do this. 

“Since then, how he used to motivate us in games. We grew up around him – me and Frans [Malherbe], Steven Kitshoff and Pieter-Steph [du Toit]. As I said last week, he cared about us as people. He asks, ‘are you going to let your daughter down, your son down?’ It became far deeper than just a rugby game.

“Jacques, honestly, it’s been a huge honour for me and a huge privilege, and your wife and the kids… I appreciate you. We love you as a team, not as a coach, but as a person. You’ve taken it to another level. The way you speak to us – it’s not ‘make a big hit, make a tackle’, you talk to me as a person, as a father, a husband, as a son, it goes such a long way so thank you. We honour you as a team. All the best. They will be lucky too have you wherever you go.”

Related Articles

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Official calls halt to play amidst double-call...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 111 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 111 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 134 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All