Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says the team wants to thank its unwavering supporters by securing a victory over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium in Nasrec on Saturday.
Kolisi says a win would mean a lot to ordinary South Africans, homeless people and those who cannot afford to attend the match and watch the team play from the stadium.
Saturday’s match will mark the Boks’ final game on home soil this year, with the two teams currently level at one win apiece in the four-Test Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
“We obviously want to win the game, but also, like you said, just to say thank you to the people of South Africa.
“Because it hasn’t always been the first one, we didn’t win the first Test. But, like the numbers that they show up in at the stadium and the vibe that’s in there, we feel it and we see it,” said Kolisi.
Kolisi said the team is grateful for the support it has received, particularly from ordinary South Africans.
“Even the people that can’t afford to come, when you’re driving on the bus, and homeless people who just get up and when they see a bus, they scream.
“People who make an effort to give others an opportunity to watch us play, and that’s also been really special,” remarked the captain.
Furthermore, Kolisi said a victory would create lasting memories for fans, as Saturday’s fixture is the Boks’ final game in the country this season.
The captain also said the wet and windy conditions expected at FNB Stadium on Saturday would not force the team to change its game plan.
“No, it will not affect our thinking. Our game plan hasn’t changed. The way we prepared on Monday is still the same.
“If it rains, it doesn’t rain. None of our moves, anything that we do, our plan is not going to change anything at all.
“And I think the same mindset we had last week, we’ll have the same,” remarked Kolisi.
Both teams will travel to Baltimore, USA, a few hours after the match ahead of next Saturday’s final clash.
