Siya Kolisi: We can pull together if we want to achieve something

South Africa's Siya Kolisi (centre) lifts the Webb Ellis Cup after beating England in Japan on Saturday. PIC/AFP

Yokohama (Japan): Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said South Africa's Rugby World Cup victory on Saturday showed what the Rainbow Nation could achieve if it pulled together to face its challenges. An emotional Kolisi, the first black man to captain the Springboks, devoted the Webb Ellis Cup to the people of South Africa and said he was so grateful for their support. "We have so many problems in our country but a team like this, we come from different backgrounds, different races but we came together with one goal and we wanted to achieve it," Kolisi said.

"I really hope we've done that for South Africa. Just shows that we can pull together if we want to achieve something," said the captain, who led his team to a resounding 32-12 victory over England in Yokohama.'

Kolisi hails coach

He said coach Rassie Erasmus had told the team they were not just playing for themselves but for all the people in South Africa, which is suffering an economic crisis with unemployment hovering around 30 percent. And Kolisi said the Springboks had received countless messages from home as the nation got behind his team. "Since I've been alive, I've never seen South Africa like this," he said.

"Thank you so much. We love you South Africa and we can achieve anything if we work together as one," said the captain. Erasmus, who is stepping down as head coach after the World Cup, said the support had driven the team to new heights.

'Never felt alone in Japan'

"To the Springbok supporters, I would like to say we never felt alone here in Japan. We felt them all the way," said Erasmus. "Not just the supporters in Japan but also those back home. All the messages, all the WhatsApps, Facebook, the Twitter feed. We know there's millions there and we know they support us. We love them and I can't wait to get back home."

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