VIDEO: 'We just want to win the Freedom Cup'
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have set a clear mandate for when they take to the field against the All Blacks on Saturday.
South Africa has reached incredible heights in recent years. They have won back-to-back World Cups (2019 and 2023) and are the first team in the world to claim a record fourth Webb Ellis Cup.
Now, after the 31-27 comeback win at Ellis Park, Rassie Eramsus’ men are on the verge of claiming a Rugby Championship title when they take on the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium.
A victory would also mean that the World Champs will win their fourth successive game against New Zealand – a feat they have only achieved once before – and the Freedom Cup, which has alluded them since 2009.
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Speaking to reporters ahead of the Rugby Championship Round Four clash, Siya Kolisi did not downplay his desire to lift the Freedom Cup at the Cape Town Stadium.
Kolisi was set to miss the match due to a fractured nose. However, given the magnitude of the occasion, the inspirational skipper opted to help his team’s quest for the title.
“It’s not just huge for me, it’s huge for the whole team,” said Kolisi, who will lead the team for the 58th time.
“We are in a place that we’ve never been in before. As a group in the Rugby Championship, we’ve never been in this position before. We’ve always won here against Argentina, gone to Australia and lost there.
“The Freedom Cup is something that we’ve only seen in pictures or we’ve walked past it. We’ve never been able to touch it. It’s big.
“Coming back to Cape Town as well. Playing here after so many years and there’s so much to play for. We can put ourselves in a very good position for the Rugby Championship and win the Freedom Cup.
“It’s not about me. If I wasn’t ok, I wouldn’t have played. It wouldn’t have changed anything for the group. I just really wanted to play, I wanted that opportunity and the doctor gave me the opportunity.”
#PREVIEW: Check out our prediction for Saturday’s showdown between the Springboks and the All Blacks in Cape Town 👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #NewZealand #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL https://t.co/GnwMjGXTs9
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Kolisi added that the Springboks need to be in prime form for the challenge the All Blacks pose.
He emphasised that hosts should not allow the All Blacks to dominate the opening exchanges like last week during the 31-27 win at Ellis Park.
“The whole week has been about the team and what we’ve done to get here
“It’s not about being wary of the All Blacks. We need to put our best foot forward because we didn’t do that last week and had to fight back. We can’t do that this weekend,” said Kolisi.
“The players they have picked for the game, are clearly showing what they want to do. They want to run the ball. So what are we going to do as a team to make sure we start far better than last week?”
Sharing his captain’s sentiment, Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick stated that men in green and gold should brace for challenging 80 minutes to become the Freedom Cup holders.
“You can never relax when you play against them [All Blacks], and as Siya touched on it, we’ve never been in a position like this in the tournament,” said Stick.
“We know how difficult it is to win the Freedom Cup, we have to win two games to take it away from the All Blacks.
“It’s a special trophy and if you look at where we are as a country celebrating 30 years of democracy I think that trophy speaks volumes as to what we as the Springboks stand for.”
What is the Freedom Cup?
The Freedom Cup is a minor international rugby union trophy contested between South Africa and New Zealand, during The Rugby Championship and previously during The Rugby Championship’s predecessor, the Tri-Nations.
It was first contested in 2004 (the 10 year anniversary of South African democracy), in a one-off test. The game, played at Ellis Park, Johannesburg was won 40–26 by South Africa.
However, in the 2006 Tri Nations Series, it was contested in all three New Zealand–South Africa matches.
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The last match between the teams in Cape Town was in 2017, won 25-24 by the #AllBlacks in front of 52,000 fans at Newlands.#Rugby365 #Springboks pic.twitter.com/PuRAgjJhJL
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 6, 2024
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