Springbok captain Siya Kolisi had powerful words for departing Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber following their brilliant Rugby World Cup win.
For the third weekend in a row, the Springboks earned a thrilling one-point victory, this time emerging victorious 12-11 over three-time champions New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.
The memorable victory brings a successful, satisfying and fitting end to Nienaber’s tenure at the helm of the World Champions, who were never anything other than that during his stint as head coach.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Kolisi heaped praise on his coach, who brought an incredible personal touch to his leadership.
Siya Kolisi’s beautiful final words to his coach. pic.twitter.com/PvAeD2fbeu
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) October 29, 2023
“He cares about us as people, he took it further, it became far deeper than just a rugby game,” said the two-time Rugby World Cup winner.
“Jacques, it’s been a huge honour for me, a huge privilege. I appreciate you. We love you as a team, not only as a coach, but as a person.
“The way you speak to us, it’s not ‘make a big hit, make a tackle’, you talk to me as a person. You know, you talk to me as a father, as a husband, as a son. I’m really grateful for that. It goes such a long way for a player.
“So thank you, and we honour you as a team. I hope you are proud of us and all the best where you are going, they will be lucky to have you.”
Nienaber is set to return to Ireland – where he was the assistant coach at Munster under Rassie Erasmus in 2016 – to take over the reins at Leinster.
