How inspiring was that speech given by South Africa captain Siya Kolisi after his side were crowned world champions. How passionate his words on the impact the victory would have in the country.
Speaking immediately, after the game, Kolisi told of the challenges South Africa face and shared his hope that the win would unite the country once again.
“I’m so grateful for everything this team has been through, we’ve faced a lot of challenges but the people of South Africa got in behind us and we are so grateful.
We have so many problems in our country, but to have a team like this, we come from different backgrounds, different races but we came together with one goal and we wanted to achieve it.
“I really hope we’ve shown South Africa that we can pull together to achieve something.
Kolisi is the first black man to captain the Springboks and following his heroic performance, he was quick to thank the people of South Africa for their support of all of the team.
“Since I’ve been alive, I have never seen South Africa like this. In 1995, we saw what the World Cup did for us. Now, with all the challenges, the coach came and told us at the last game, ‘we’re not playing for us anymore, we’re playing for everyone back home’.
“Since I have been alive I have never seen South Africa like this. With all the challenges we have, the coach said to us that we are not playing for ourselves any more, we are playing for the people back home – that is what we wanted to do today.
“We appreciate all the support – people in the taverns, in the shebeens, farms, homeless people – there were screens there – and people in the rural areas. Thank you so much, we appreciate the support.
“We love you South Africa and we can achieve anything if we work together as one.”
