Rugby World Cup final 2023: Siya Kolisi says South Africa v New Zealand is biggest game of 'our lifetime'
- Published
Siya Kolisi only just recovered from an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury to lead his team in France
2023 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand v South Africa |
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Venue: Stade de France, Paris Dates: Saturday, 28 October Kick-off: 20:00 BST |
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, plus text updates on the BBC Sport website and app. |
"I don't think in our lifetime we will get to experience this again, that is how big it is."
New Zealand and South Africa have consistently reigned supreme at the very top of rugby for decades.
Since 2007, either the All Blacks or South Africa have won the Rugby World Cup.
And with three titles each, and the last four between them, no side has won more than these two powerhouses of world rugby.
On Saturday, one of them will become the first nation to reach a coveted fourth title, with South Africa aiming to join their rivals in being the only sides to win it back-to-back.
Added to the fact it is the top two sides in the world rankings going head-to-head, is it the Test match to settle the undisputed number one rugby nation?
"That is why it makes this match so special with all the history behind it. All the battles behind the two teams and now we are both going to create history," Kolisi told the BBC's Rugby Union Daily.
"I don't think in our lifetime we will get to experience this again, that is how big it is. That is why the people are getting behind us."
"Many people lost their lives so I could be free" - Kolisi
Having lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 with a 32-12 victory over England, Kolisi is aiming to emulate All Black legend Richie McCaw, who was the first player to lift the trophy twice after back-to-back wins in 2011 and 2015.
The 32-year-old flanker paid respect to his fellow finalists, saying a lot of people in South Africa "look up to them" for inspiration.
"They have been the best in the world for a very long time but we are also a successful country in rugby," the Springboks captain added.
"In my eyes it is the biggest rivalry in rugby history and I am always fortunate and honoured to be part of a game like this.
"Playing the All Blacks in a Rugby World Cup final - number one against two, it is huge."
'So many lost their lives for me to be free'
Kolisi was the first black player to captain South Africa
Despite their recent domination, the sides have only met each other once in a final back in 1995, when Kolisi was four.
South Africa won the game on home soil in Johannesburg, with a Joel Stransky drop-goal in extra time securing an iconic win that helped unite the nation following the end of the apartheid era.
Kolisi added: "1995 was huge, it changed a lot of lives for so many people. So many lost their lives for me to be free and lost their lives for me to be able to put on this jersey.
"So many people fought to try and wear this jersey and they didn't get the opportunity to wear it. For me not to give my best and give everything would betray those people."
Nelson Mandela, the former political prisoner turned unifying president of a nation, presented the trophy to captain Francois Pienaar - an image which went down in history because of the lives it changed.
"The one that brings us together is the 62 million people from our country," the Kolisi said.
"It is South Africa who goes through a lot of different challenges in a year and we are one of the people who can actually control how they feel with their mood.
"We can put a smile on their face but it is not always winning most of the time, it is the effort we put out there. It is how we carry ourselves on and off the field."
The power to once again inspire the nation, like in 2019, is at the forefront of his mind when he lifted the trophy as the first black captain of the Springboks.
Kolisi's rise from someone who used to walk to school without any shoes, to sporting greatness, in his mind should not be idolised.
"I don't see myself how other people see me," he said "I am a father and a husband to my wife and friends to my team-mates that I go to work with every single day.
"It is my responsibility to use this opportunity and platform to give everything I can because many people would give everything to be where I am today.
"I do love what I do but I don't see myself as an icon."
Kolisi celebrated with fans after South Africa's semi-final win over England at the Stade de France
Rugby World Cup finals
1987 - New Zealand 29-9 France - Auckland
1991 - Australia 12-6 England - London
1995 - South Africa 15-12 New Zealand (AET) - Johannesburg
1999 - Australia 35-12 France - Cardiff
2003 - England 20-17 Australia (AET) - Sydney
2007 - South Africa 15-6 England - Paris
2011 - New Zealand 8-7 France - Auckland
2015 - New Zealand 34-17 Australia - London
2019 - South Africa 32-12 England - Yokohama