{"id":297745,"date":"2023-10-31T17:25:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T17:25:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=297745"},"modified":"2023-10-31T17:25:50","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T17:25:50","slug":"captain-siya-kolisi-says-springboks-world-cup-win-was-for-every-south-african","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/rugby-union\/captain-siya-kolisi-says-springboks-world-cup-win-was-for-every-south-african\/","title":{"rendered":"Captain Siya Kolisi says Springboks\u2019 World Cup win was \u2018for every South African\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Captain Siya Kolisi dedicated Rugby World Cup glory to \u201cevery South African\u201d during a triumphant homecoming in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
The Springboks received a rapturous welcome on Tuesday as they were greeted by thousands of fans at a packed OR Tambo International Airport.<\/p>\n
South Africa retained the Webb Ellis Cup thanks to Saturday evening\u2019s 12-11 success over New Zealand in Paris to become the first nation to win the men\u2019s competition four times.<\/p>\n
Flanker Kolisi, who also led his country to victory against England in the 2019 final in Japan, paraded the trophy through the huge crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, South Africa showed us exactly who we did it for,\u201d he said, according to a press release from the South African Rugby Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of the team, we\u2019d like to thank the people of South Africa. It was a tough 20 weeks, but there was four years of planning behind that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we won the World Cup in 2019, people didn\u2019t think we would do it \u2013 instead, they were hopeful because the plan was always for 2023, but things changed and we won in 2019, and this time our people expected us to win.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was not about us as players. This victory was for every South African, and we showed what is possible with this diverse team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kolisi, South Africa\u2019s first black captain, overcame childhood poverty to become a two-time world champion.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old has repeatedly spoken of the Springboks being motivated by the everyday struggles endured by millions of their compatriots.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a team, we want to be a reference point for our people, to show them how we can do it, and hopefully they\u2019ll get hope from this team,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother important thing for us was to transform while winning. But we\u2019d also like this to extend beyond sport and what is happening in South Africa, and how people see things going forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may not be able to change people\u2019s circumstances, but we can give hope we can inspire people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Springboks won the World Cup for the first time in 1995 following a 15-12 victory over the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s sports minister Zizi Kodwa referenced former president Nelson Mandela, who presented the trophy to skipper Francois Pienaar following that victory 28 years ago, as he lauded the achievement of the current side.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team\u2019s performances on and off the field was an expression of former president Nelson Mandela\u2019s saying that \u2018sport has the power to change the world, sport can create hope where once there was only despair\u2019,\u201d Kodwa said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis victory pays homage to his vision, and it\u2019s a dream to see the nation so united.\u201d<\/p>\n