'It would be historic' - Siya Kolisi could out-do Nelson Mandela according to Springboks legend
Should Springboks captain Siya Kolisi lift aloft the World Cup in Yokohama later this year, it would be a more impactful moment than the iconic image of Nelson Mandela handing the Webb Ellis Trophy to Francois Pienaar in 1995.
That’s the verdict from Springboks legend Bryan Habana in a lengthy interview with The Guardian.
Kolisi is the first-ever black captain of the Springboks, and is set to lead a resurgent South African side to this year’s World Cup in Japan in what’s likely to be the most competitive World Cup in recent memory.
Habana, the now-retired 35-year-old wing who won the World Cup with South Africa in 2007, said he was inspired to get involved in rugby after watching President Mandela hand the Webb Ellis Trophy to Springboks skipper Pienaar following the Springboks’ maiden World Cup success 24 years ago.
Mandela had used to Springboks to unite a racially-divided South Africa throughout the tournament of which they were hosting for the first time since the abolishment of their ban from international rugby by World Rugby – then known as the International Rugby Board (IRB) – in 1992.
After defeating the All Blacks 15-12 after extra-time in the final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Mandela emerged onto the pitch donning a Springboks jersey – a team which was adored by white Afrikaners and loathed by the country’s black majority throughout Apartheid – in a symbolic gesture which represented a post-Apartheid, rainbow nation South Africa.
Despite admitting that he regards the All Blacks as favourites to claim an unprecedented hat-trick of world crowns, Habana – a joint record-holder for most World Cup tries (15) – didn’t mince his words when it came to explaining the impact Kolisi would have in lifting the World Cup in four months’ time.
“I think it would have a much greater impact than ’95,” he said.
“I think seeing Siya run out as captain in June last year pulled on the emotional strings like ’95, and rightly so.
“For me personally, knowing Siya, knowing his personal history where he literally got raised by his grandmother, had nothing, then got an opportunity … for me this is about a player who first and foremost got chosen on his rugby playing ability.
“He got made captain on his leadership capabilities and thrived on that responsibility. He wasn’t a token player, being given a position because of our country’s history.
“If South Africa go on and win a World Cup this year outside of South Africa, with Siya Kolisi as the captain, it will be absolutely monumental, especially in a World Cup that is going to be so tough to win.
“For us as a country to have that inspiration, for 70 per cent of our population to have that example, would be immensely important, on a par with Mandela in ’95 if not greater. It would be historic.”
Of mixed race himself, Habana praised head coach Rassie Erasmus for producing one of the most harmonious and best-performing Springboks squads in years as the complex and ongoing power struggle between races within South Africa continues.
Last year, the Springboks beat then-Six Nations champions England 2-1 over a three-match test series, upset the All Blacks 36-34 in Wellington, and came up just shy of completing the double over their arch-rivals following an 80th-minute conversion by Richie Mo’unga to an Ardie Savea try which secured a 32-30 win in Pretoria.
Although he retired more than a year ago due to an ongoing knee injury, Habana will be involved at this year’s World Cup as an analyst and broadcaster.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments