Strength through unity is the motto the Springboks have adopted this tournament, both as a squad and as a varied group of South Africans who appreciate the impact bringing home the Webb Ellis Cup would have on a divided nation.
“Winning the final would not only be huge for us as a group but for the country as a whole,” said the South Africa captain, Siya Kolisi, who when he was appointed captain by the head coach, Rassie Erasmus, last year became the first black Springbok to hold the position. “I am proud of what we have done as a team and now it is about making sure that everything falls into place.”
Kolisi, who will win his 50th cap, admitted he struggled to deal with the reaction his appointment as captain immediately generated, not just domestically but throughout the world. He was brought up in a township in Port Elizabeth by his grandmother and slept on cushions on a floor: this is the first World Cup since the 1995 tournament South Africa hosted when the majority of the population is behind them.
“It was tough at the beginning after I was made captain,” he said. “It was a big thing at home and worldwide and it took its toll on me. My performance dipped quite a lot and I had to work hard and refocus on my game. I have awesome leaders around me, like Handre [Pollard], Duane [Vermeulen] and Eben [Etzebeth]. We are different South Africans from different walks of life who have bought into coach Rassie’s plans and know what we want to achieve.
“I know what we have done here is big back home and I have not seen this much support for the team since I have been playing. The president was speaking about the final in parliament, asking the whole country to wear Springbok jerseys and, if you are in a car, to hoot at one o’clock. We have the country behind us and that is huge. I cannot imagine what it will be like if we win.
“We know it is not just another game but the World Cup final. Emotions are high and we have to channel them the right way. There is pressure, but that can help you lift your performance. Not many players get this opportunity and we appreciate that. It may be my 50th cap, but it is a special day for every single guy in the team and those in the squad who are not involved but who have played a full part.”
Kolisi’s father, Fezakel, who instilled in his son a love of rugby, arrived here on Friday morning. “I am really happy that I could organise it for him to come,” said the captain. “It is his first time overseas and he came with my best friend. It is one of the things that makes me grateful I play rugby: you can do something like this for your family members.”
South Africa have got to the final by taking an uncomplicated route. Their gameplan has varied little in the big matches, based on identifying the strengths of their opponents and nullifying them, largely through force, while taking a minimum of risks and trusting their defence. Boks kicking has taken on a whole new meaning.
“We trust our plan,” said Kolisi. “It has got us this far and we do not have to change much. We just have to give it everything and we are not going to do anything different. The past four games against England have been arm wrestles in which momentum has swung. You never know, there may be beautiful tries scored but it will all come down to who handles the occasion best.”
Given South Africa’s meticulous preparation that has helped them defuse the very different threats of Japan and Wales in the knockout rounds, will they be paying special attention to Maro Itoje, whose powers of destruction wreaked havoc on New Zealand in the semi-final?
“We prepare on what we need to do,” said Kolisi. “You always say you cannot focus on individuals but you look at one or two players to see their strong points. We have watched England and we have plans and systems for them, but I am not going to share them here.”
Itoje captained England to victory in the 2014 Junior World Championship final against South Africa in Auckland. The young Springboks were led by Pollard who made his Test debut before the second-row and was part of the squad in the 2015 World Cup.
“It is no secret that finals have been decided by drop-kicks and penalties,” he said. “I love the pressure of that. It is why you train and put in the hours and why as a little boy you imagine you are taking a kick to win a World Cup final. You have basically been preparing your whole life for that moment. Yes there is going to be pressure, but you have to embrace it and enjoy the occasion.
“We may have a few different plays for England, but like them we have a blueprint. What we and they believe in is not going to change in a week. We trust in our system and pride ourselves on our great defensive record. There will be a line in the sand that they will try to cross and we will try to stop them. Everything will stay the same for both sides; no disco lights.”
