Kolisi: ‘It was ugly, but that’s what champions are made of’

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was magnanimous after a smash and grab win saw the Boks edge England 16-15 in their Rugby World Cup semifinal at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Saturday night.

Kolisi was quick to admit that it was an ugly win, while heaping praise on the effort of England, but also admitted that clinching a win, despite playing badly was the mark of a champion team.

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“Honestly all the hard work we have put in is paying off. It was ugly today, but that’s what champions are made of,” said a relieved looking Kolisi after the match.

“I give all credit to England. They have worked hard, they were written off before the World Cup. Coach Steve (Borthwick), Owen (Farrell) and the team, they pulled themselves together and showed who they are.

“They are not a team that can be taken lightly so all credit to them for doing all the hard work and being in the semifinal.

“To my team as well, it was ugly today, like it was last week. But we found a way to fight back and get back into the game, so well done to the boys. I am really proud of the fight they showed, especially the guys who came off the bench once again.”

Lift their game

The Boks will have to lift their game for a huge final against their biggest rivals the All Blacks.

Kolisi was acutely aware of the areas where they struggled against England and knows that they will have to improve in a number of areas if they are to become the first ever four-time winners of the Webb Ellis Cup.

“England did so well with their kicking game, I think they outplayed us with that. Our discipline was awful in the first half, especially in the key areas of the game where they could take the points,” explained Kolisi.

“But we fought back in the second half. We showed who we are and what we can do with a full squad of 23.

“It’s (the final) going to be as big as it was tonight. The All Blacks played really well last night (in their semi-final against Argentina) but we want to thank the South African supporters who came all the way here to support us and the ones back at home as well.

“Next week is going to be hard, it’s going to be special but may they stay with us and hopefully we can defend it.”

Relieved Nienaber

Coach Jacques Nienaber meanwhile was full of praise for the English performance, but also credited his bench players for lifting the Boks when they needed it most in the second half.

“Credit to England. I thought they were outstanding on the night. They really had us under a lot of pressure and it took something special for us to unlock their defence and get a try to get us back in the game,” said Nienaber.

The Boks trailed late in the game until a converted try by replacement lock RG Snyman and a 50m penalty with three minutes remaining in the game swung the match in favour of the South Africans.

“We needed some energy and that’s why we decided to bring the bench on early,” said Nienaber after the thriller.

“Fortunately there is not much difference between the guys who start and the guys who come off the bench, and we needed energy and they brought that.”