TOKYO – A 2019 World Cup victory for South Africa under captain Siya Kolisi could be as impactful as their historic win on home soil in 1995, former Springbok wing Bryan Habana said on Wednesday.
In June 2018, Kolisi became the first black man to captain the Springboks in a full test match, and the flank will hope to lead South Africa to a third World Cup title in Japan later this year.
For many, including Habana, Kolisi’s promotion is a crucial step as rugby continues to break the shackles of its past image, in a country where racial tensions in sport often spill-over into politics.
The Boks won their first World Cup title in 1995 when Nelson Mandela presented the Webb Ellis Trophy to Francois Pienaar in a major step for post-apartheid South Africa.
“Rugby had just been officially opened to all walks of life in South Africa, and having Nelson Mandela walking out on to Ellis Park is probably one of the most unifying forces that has ever happened in our country,” Habana said in Tokyo.
“Having Siya Kolisi be the first black person to captain South Africa shows what our country is on route to, and given our history, that is very unique.
“If Siya has the opportunity to be the first black captain to win a World Cup outside of South Africa, that will be pretty special, pretty inspirational and will give a lot of hope to people who need it a lot more than anything else.”
Habana, the all-time leading Springboks try-scorer and a World Cup winner in 2007, believes Kolisi has the right temperament and personnel around him to handle the pressure.
“He is grabbing the opportunity with both hands,” Habana said at an event to mark 100 days until the start of the Japan 2019 World Cup.
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Thanks to @emirates for the 1st class treatment 🛫 and to @brettgosper and Akira Shimazu for the warm welcome #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/m5Lro60JaM
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana)
“He brings something very different and very unique to his leadership, in terms of his energy and his passion for life.
“He has got some great leaders around him that make his job easy. You look at the likes of Handre Pollard, Duane Vermeulen, Lood de Jager – guys who captain their provinces.
“It is a massive responsibility being the Springbok captain, but at the moment, Siya is holding that responsibility with aplomb.”
Habana was hopeful Rassie Erasmus’ team will be ready for the World Cup despite an inconsistent 18 months.
“I think if one looks at South Africa’s record over the last 18 months, it hasn’t been great,” admitted Habana, who has seen South Africa beat New Zealand and France, but also lose to England and Wales.
“But then compare it to our run-in to the 2007 World Cup, when we lost 49-0 to Australia a year out from the World Cup, and then a year later we went on to win it.
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— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup)
“What I think Rassie and Siya have got right is the balance of the side in terms of youth and experience.
“The spirit in the camp in terms of engagement has been absolutely fantastic, and that really came to the fore in that win against New Zealand in Wellington.”
South Africa recorded a 36-34 victory over New Zealand in Wellington last year, becoming the first Springbok side to beat the All Blacks on home soil since 2009.
The two old foes face each other in their World Cup opener in Yokohama on September 21.
“Inconsistency has probably been biggest foe, but heading into this World Cup, they will have been together for quite a while,” said Habana.
“That game against New Zealand first up is going to be really exciting to watch.”