Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has offered words of encouragement to the Welsh team after Saturday’s Test match in Cardiff.
Wales lost 45-12 to the Boks in what was South Africa’s last match of the year. A win for Rassie Erasmus’men means that the Springboks will finish top of the IRB rankings this year.
Coming into the match, Wales coach Warren Gatland was under pressure having lost 11 matches in a row. After 10 minutes into the match, the writing was on the wall as the home side was already on the back foot. Three tries in the opening 20 minutes for the Springboks meant Wales finished the calendar year without a win for the first time since 1937.
Siya Kolisi though encouraged Gatland’s side to keep pushing.
“You just can’t stop believing,” he told TNT Sports as per SA Rugby Magazine. “Look at their starting backline, one of our guys had more caps than everybody.
“You have to be realistic. Some of the guys are getting their new caps. Next year they’ll be a little bit more experienced, it will take time,” Kolisi added.
Siya Kolisi believes Wales can improve
Gatland maintains he still wants to remain as coach.
“I definitely want to be here. It’s about letting the dust settle over the coming days,” he said.
“I’m motivated to want to be here. It’s about talking to the union, family and friends. It’s been challenging the last couple of weeks, I’m only human.
“You don’t make a decision straight after a game. Let’s just see what happens over the next few days.”
With the Springboks only in action until mid-2025, Siya Kolisi and his troops will return to their respective clubs.
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