Why Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is full of praise for Wales despite drubbing

Kolisi captained the Springboks to a dominant end-of-year win over Wales

Why Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is full of praise for Wales despite drubbing

Stephen Awino 14:24 - 24.11.2024

Springboks ended their year with a dominant display over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Springboks delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, overwhelming Wales 45-12 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Despite the lopsided score-line, South Africa’s captain, Siya Kolisi, offered words of encouragement and admiration for the struggling Welsh side.

The Springboks went into halftime with a commanding 25-6 lead, showcasing their dominance in both attack and defence.

The second half followed a similar script as South Africa extended their lead, underlining their superiority on the day and end their year on high note.

However, Kolisi’s post-match comments reflected a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Wales, a team in transition.

“You just can’t stop believing,” Kolisi said post-match, encouraging the Welsh team, as p SA Rugby Magazine.

“Look at their starting backline, one of our guys had more caps than everybody. You have to be realistic. Some of the guys are getting their new caps. Next year they’ll be a little bit more experienced, it will take time. This is a proud rugby nation, like South Africa. I have no doubt they’ll pick it up.”

Wales’ loss marked their 11th consecutive match without a win, a streak that stretches back to their pool-stage victory over Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in October.

The team’s struggles have placed immense pressure on head coach Warren Gatland, whose future with the team remains uncertain.

Addressing his position after the match, Gatland acknowledged the challenges of the past weeks and emphasized the importance of taking time before making decisions.

“I definitely want to be here. It’s about letting the dust settle over the coming days,” he said.

“I’m motivated to want to be here. It’s about talking to the union, family, and friends. It’s been challenging the last couple of weeks, I’m only human. You don’t make a decision straight after a game. Let’s just see what happens over the next few days.”

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