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Siya Kolisi called on the people of South Africa to learn from their rugby team and \u201cmake a better country\u201d after captaining his side to a historic fourth World Cup.<\/p>\n
The Springboks won a third match in a row by a solitary point as they edged out New Zealand in Paris, winning the final 12-11, to retain their crown as world champions.<\/p>\n
In a message echoing the sentiments of Nelson Mandela in 1995, when South Africa won their first World Cup, Kolisi called on a still divided country to unite around rugby.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so much going wrong in our country, we are the last line of defence,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s so much division in the country, it is possible to work together as South Africans, not just on the rugby field, but in life in general. We can\u2019t go away from that, 1995, without that I wouldn\u2019t be here. For people who look like me, I\u2019ve got a job to give whatever I can to the jersey, to show they can get opportunities like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Africa continues to suffer social segregation and economic disparity on racial grounds, and there remain many deep-rooted issues including high levels of unemployment, criminality and corruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who are not from South Africa don\u2019t understand what this means for our country,\u201d Kolisi said. \u201cThis is not just about the game, our country goes through such a lot. We are the very hope that they have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scrum half Faf de Klerk backed his captain\u2019s message of unity.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully it represents unity, what teamwork can do,\u201d he said of South Africa\u2019s triumph. \u201cA lot is lacking in our country. People from all races and backgrounds, supporting one goal, something we can learn in every day life. To make a better country and a better world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head coach Jacques Nienaber described his side as \u201cwarriors\u201d and said their experience proved the difference in a gruelling battle.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the main thing was just the strength of the squad,\u201d the coach said. \u201cThey\u2019re experienced, they\u2019ve been in a World Cup final before, some of them were playing a third World Cup. So I think the experience just pulled it through, they\u2019re an amazing bunch of guys, all warriors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve come a long way with these players, we\u2019ve planned for this since 2018,\u201d added Nienaber, who is leaving for a job in Ireland after the tournament.<\/p>\n
It was victory by the slimmest of margins against their traditional rivals who fought back despite a numerical disadvantage.<\/p>\n
Kolisi added: \u201cThe All Blacks took us to a dark place, it just shows what team they are, they fought, they put us under so much pressure. Credit to my boys for the fight, I\u2019m just grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n