WATCH | Bok stars Etzebeth, Kolisi go 'crazy' celebrating Dricus du Plessis' UFC win
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth celebrated wildly after their compatriot Dricus du Plessis' UFC win in Perth on Sunday.
Du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight title after a fourth-round submission win over bitter rival Israel Adesanya in a blockbuster bout at Perth Arena.
Du Plessis was accompanied into the Octagon by Kolisi and Etzebeth, with his country's national anthem thundering around the venue. The Boks were also in Perth having beaten Australia 30-12 in a Rugby Championship Test on Saturday.
After Du Plessis' victory, Etzebeth and Kolisi could hardly contain their enthusiasm as they celebrated.
Du Plessis (22-2) has now won 10 fights in a row, having originally claimed the belt after beating American Sean Strickland in January.
"I came in here to die for this belt," Du Plessis said. "I came here to take it home. Here I am, still the champion."
"And here I am, still champion baby." ??@DricusDuPlessis reacts to his win over Israel Adesanya at #UFC305! pic.twitter.com/cASRuiyafu
At a sold-out 15 000 arena, Adesanya (24-4) enjoyed significant crowd support and apeared to have an edge for much of the fight until he was helpless against Du Plessis' rear-naked choke.
"I'm disappointed, but at the same time I'm proud because this is the best I've felt and looked," said the Nigeria-born New Zealander, who made his return after a shock defeat to Strickland in September last year.
"I just had the better man on the night and I'll give him respect for that."