It is exactly a day before the 2023 Rugby World Cup final and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi believes the clash against All Blacks will be one of the biggest matches of his life.
South Africa will be battling it out for a record fourth world cup title against their bitter rivals New Zealand at the Stade de France on Saturday evening.
Ahead of the game, Kolisi said it is always a huge occasion facing the All Blacks, and adding the magnitude of the event, it is also the two top-ranked teams playing in the final.
“It’s probably the biggest game of my life,” Kolisi told SA Rugby media.
“I don’t think it will happen in our lifetimes again that we have another game like this, and we are excited. We know how good they are,” said Kolisi.
“One only must look at how they turned things around quietly after going through a dip last year to see that.
“The fight they showed to get here says a lot about them as a team. Very few people gave them a chance to be here, and we are looking forward to Saturday.”
Huge day for South Africans
Kolisi said the occasion is much bigger for the team than just participating in the final, as it will be a huge day for South Africa as a whole.
“What we do on Saturday can change the mood of over 62-million South Africans,” he said.
“People have been sending messages saying when we play, it is the only time they are happy, and as a team we represent all kinds of people.”
It goes without saying that the Boks will have a daunting task in defending their Webb Ellis crown, as they go up against a strong All Blacks team that will leave no stone unturned to ensure that they claim the bragging rights of being the greatest rugby national team.
The All Blacks will also be gunning for revenge, after the embarrassing and mesmerizing 35-7 thumping to the Boks in August – which was their heaviest defeat ever.
The mouthwatering Rugby World Cup final between the two giants will kick off at 9pm.
