VIDEO: Where Freedom Cup stands on Boks' list of success
REACTION: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi rated his team’s historic Freedom Cup win as second only to their World Cup victory in France.
The Springboks secured a hard-fought 18-12 win over the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The win saw the Boks end their 15-year-long Freedom Cup drought and remain unbeaten in the Rugby Championship.
It was a very tight contest, with the Springboks trailing 3-9 at the break in front of a packed crowd of more than 55,000.
However, in pure Springboks fashion, the hosts introduced the famous ‘Bomb Squad’.
Malcolm Marx replaced Bongi Mbonambi and Lukhanyo Am was in for Canan Moodie in the 45th minute and the momentum shifted on their way to securing the important win.
Marx was incredible and scored the match-winning try in the 73rd minute.
MATCH REPORT: The Freedom Cup is back homehttps://t.co/WEoZ2tB83R
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 7, 2024
Speaking after the match, captain Siya Kolisi revealed that coach Rassie Erasmus’ honest talk at half-time was the key to the victory.
“We all wanted this game, we know how big it was.” Kolisi, who played with a fractured nose, stated.
“And for me, the coach basically gave me a chance when I said I’m okay, so I had to prove myself.
“I couldn’t go half-heartedly. Nobody will celebrate you if you play and you don’t go flat out when you say you are fine.
“I know there is Kwagga Smith, there is Marco van Staden and other guys that would want this opportunity.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted to start and then for the second half, coach [Erasmus] was quite honest with us.
“The way we started the second half we did exactly what we wanted. The subs came on and they did what they always do because it was a little tight.”
*Article continues below…
The captain did not downplay the importance of the Freedom Cup for the group.
“This game was really big for us and we spoke about it.
“After the World Cup Final, this was the biggest game for this group.
“I’m so happy for guys like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Canan Moodie, who came back from injury.
“We are really happy as a group.”
Given the massive occasion, head coach Erasmus attributed the players’ emotions to the slow start.
“The players were too emotional when we started. We were not accurate, however, we were on it,” Erasmus said.
“After half-time, we calmed a little bit and started playing a little better.”
The result means it is the fourth straight win for the Springboks over the All Blacks.
It is the first time since 1949 that the Boks have managed four consecutive victories over the All Blacks.
“For us, four wins in a row is nice to have but they have gone six against us before,” said Erasmus.
“There is nothing for us to brag about because they have done worse to us including a 57-15 win in Durban.
“But it feels good that we can pip a team like this, again like last week if they had won, no one could say they didn’t deserve it.”
He added: “But for us this week, it was about the Freedom Cup.
“We talk a lot about what it means to represent South Africa and when you attach the Freedom Cup to that, it’s special. ”
