Siya Kolisi Jacques Nienaber France Italy Dublin springboks Rugby boks Siya Kolisi Jacques Nienaber France Italy Dublin

Boks went back to 'falling in love with the game' after week of Rassie drama

news24.com

In GenoaSpringbok captain Siya Kolisi said they would have rocked up for the Italy game on Saturday in the best possible mental shape even if bigger challenges confronted them in what was a difficult week.The Boks beat Italy 63-21 to record their biggest and most convincing win of the season, but they had to do it in a week when SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was suspended for his social media criticism of referees and Pieter-Steph du Toit was suspended following a red card offence against France the previous week.It was the most challenging of weeks for the Boks but Kolisi, speaking after the match, said his side had been encouraged by Erasmus and head coach Jacques Nienaber to revisit the reasons they played this game. MATCH REPORT | Springboks overcome horror week, run riot in Genoa to land thumping Italy win"Even if the worst thing happened during the week, we still would have focused on the game because it was important for us to get a win," Kolisi said."We prepped properly, and we enjoyed it, which is what Jacques and Rassie told us, to get to the place that made us fall in love with the game."We may have lost the last two games, but I really believe we're headed in the right direction."Kolisi, who spoke at length about the adversity he faced in his life, along with that of the team and the country, said they needed to be at their best to beat Italy.Despite the challenges they faced in the lead-up to the game, Kolisi said it was necessary they gave the game everything.READ | Sublime Springbok back three, led by Arendse, has coach gushing after Italian jobThe Boks went into the Italy Test on the back of two consecutive, but narrow losses in Dublin and Marseille.

Related News
One of the stars of the Springboks' end-year European tour, Damian Willemse, believes the team's attacking potency is coming together on the eve of their 2023 Rugby World Cup title defence.
It's been a topsy-turvy year for Jacques Nienaber and the Springboks, and one where they will finish in 4th position in the World Rugby rankings.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.