50 up for Kolisi - Skipper reflects on journey to the final

The milestone is a special one for any international rugby player but it is understood that Kolisi will become the first player to earn a 50th Test cap in a World Cup final. 

Speaking at his captain's press conference on the eve of the tournament decider, Kolisi admitted that he hadn't quite taken stock of the milestone considering the greater task at hand. 

"I haven't thought much about everything else. The most important thing tomorrow is making sure I do my part for the team because it's a special day for every single guy," Kolisi said. 

"Obviously, I'm very happy that I've reached 50 and not a lot of Springboks have achieved that. I'm really excited for that but the most important thing is doing my part and everything else will fall into place."

READ: Bok veteran Steyn more serious ahead of second World Cup final

It is understandable that Kolisi's milestone is overshadowed by the occasion of the final. Pressure is a powerful thing but the Springbok skipper said the group is focusing on handling the pressure as best they can. 

"It definitely can help you lift your performance but it is all about how you channel it. It's not just another game, it's a World Cup final and not many people can get this opportunity. We know that as a team, emotions are high but we have to channel it in the right way," Kolisi said. 

A difficult journey

In 2018 Kolisi was appointed captain of the Springboks, becoming the first black South African to lead the side. The decision received widespread praise from the South African public 

Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus admitted yesterday that he may have been naive of the gravity of the appointment and what it meant for the country. 

As Erasmus explained, Kolisi was made captain based on his success in Super Rugby and it was not something that had been spoken about at length. 

"It was a sudden thing, and I was caught a bit off guard - maybe a bit naive - in thinking that this would be such a massive thing for him. I was a bit naive, because the whole emotional things that went around that in South Africa, about having the first black captain for the Springboks, certainly caught Siya off guard, it caught me off guard," Erasmus said. 

READ: Bok brawn must deliver in Rugby World Cup final

"I thought his game suffered a little bit in the first few games. Then he got better and better, and we always knew he was a great player.

"It’s his 50th test match, and it is fitting and a wonderful occasion for a guy to be the captain, the first black captain – now it’s also sunk into me. I understand how big it is, and I am not so naive any more.

"It is a wonderful story, and for him to handle those emotional – not stress – but emotional extras, which come with something that I didn’t expect, is just wonderful, and really, well done by him.”

Kolisi echoed those sentiments on Friday as he spoke about the enormity of the occasion and what potentially lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup will do for the country. 

The Springbok skipper also admitted that it wasn't an easy road to take at first. 

"It was very tough at the beginning when it got announced, it was a big thing back at home and around the world and it took its toll on me and my performance dipped quite a lot," Kolisi said. 

"When we played England in that June Test series, I wasn't playing at my best, I think it was a bit too much."

Kolisi then went back to basics, focusing on building his conditioning and his overall game. The Springbok skipper also credited the senior players in the squad in getting the team to where it is today. 

READ: 'Mature' Bok pack up to the challenge - Proudfoot

"I've got awesome leaders around me, guys like Handre, Duane and Eben who have captained the team and we have used a shared leadership which has worked really well," Kolisi said. 

"I'm really proud of what we've done as a team and it will be really huge for us to lift the trophy."

Lastly, Kolisi believes that the Springbok team is setting an example for the people of South Africa to follow. 

As a nation that was heavily divided along the lines of race for decades, this Springbok team has embodied an attitude of togetherness that goes beyond differences of skin colour and culture. 

"It's not about what it means to me but what it means to the team. We're all different South Africans from different walks of life but we've bought into coach Rassie's plans," Kolisi explained. 

"We said this is what we want to achieve and we are giving it everything. It will be huge to show that as a country, no matter where we come from that we can buy into one plan and achieve our goals. That's how important it is to this team and the county."

Catch up on the latest Rugby World Cup updates powered by Hollywoodbets