Kolisi lifting the World Cup would be bigger than Madiba in ’95 – Habana

24 May 2019 - 12:54 By Craig Ray
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Siya Kolisi during the DHL Stormers training session at High Performance Centre on May 21, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Siya Kolisi during the DHL Stormers training session at High Performance Centre on May 21, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Image: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

Former Springbok wing and leading South African Test try-scorer Bryan Habana believes that if Siya Kolisi lifts the World Cup later this year‚ the moment would be bigger than Nelson Mandela’s appearance at the 1995 final at Ellis Park.

Habana made the remarks in an interview that appeared in the United Kingdom’s Guardian newspaper and its online platforms on Friday.

In 1995 then-president Mandela famously donned Springbok captain Francois Pienaar’s No 6 jersey when he attended the final played between the Boks and All Blacks at Ellis Park.

Only a year into SA’s fledgling democracy‚ the images of Mandela handing the Webb Ellis Cup to Pienaar and then raising his arms aloft with a beaming Madiba smile‚ is considered one of the most iconic in sports history.

Habana‚ speaking from New York‚ told the Guardian that he believes that Kolisi leading the Boks to victory in Japan would surpass that moment.

“If South Africa go on and win a World Cup this year outside of South Africa‚ with Siya Kolisi as the captain‚ it will be absolutely monumental‚ especially in a World Cup that is going to be so tough to win‚” Habana said.

“For us as a country to have that inspiration‚ for 70% of our population to have that example‚ would be immensely important – on a par with Mandela in ’95 if not greater. It would be historic.”

Kolisi grew up in abject poverty in the township of Zwide outside Port Elizabeth and was raised by his grandmother. He went on to become the first black Springbok skipper and his story of overcoming deep personal and financial hurdles to leading the Boks is worthy of a Hollywood script.

“For me‚ personally‚ knowing Siya‚ knowing his personal history where he literally got raised by his grandmother‚ had nothing‚ then got an opportunity … for me this is about a player who first and foremost got chosen on his rugby playing ability‚” Habana continued.

“He got made captain on his leadership capabilities and thrived on that responsibility. He wasn’t a token player‚ being given a position because of our country’s history.” 

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now