In a thrilling display of rugby prowess at Wellington, Springboks stars Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi, and Andre Esterhuizen received high praise from none other than former All Blacks stalwart Sonny Bill Williams. The commendations came after a match where individual brilliance turned the tide in favor of the South African team.
The match was a rollercoaster from the start, with South Africa initially denied two tries before Kolbe intercepted a pass from New Zealand’s Billy Proctor, sprinting over 70 meters to score. This move not only shifted the momentum but also echoed Kolbe’s debut Test try at the same venue in 2018. Sonny Bill Williams, speaking on Stan Sports’ "Between Two Posts," couldn’t hide his admiration, stating,
“Big-time players come up with these big plays; this isn’t only a 14-point swing, but if he knocks that down, you’re going to the bin, bro.”
The match's early dynamics, according to Williams, mirrored a previous Rugby Championship clash, with the Springboks creating multiple opportunities yet failing to capitalize initially. Morgan Turinui, also on the show, pointed out that Kolbe’s try was crucial after being unrewarded on the scoreboard earlier. “It was exactly what the Boks needed to settle them down,” Turinui analyzed.
Williams also applauded the performances of Andre Esterhuizen, who he noted for both his physicality and finesse, captured perfectly in his try from a stunning team attack. Furthermore, the former All Black expressed satisfaction with Siya Kolisi's commanding presence on the field, especially amidst recent criticisms. “The other thing that I loved was Siya having the game that he had, especially with the blowback he has been copping it lately,” Williams added.
Kolisi’s leadership and impact were indeed pivotal, reinforcing his status as the first South African captain to lead his team to back-to-back World Cup victories. With such standout performances, the Springboks' strategic and physical dominance was on full display, sending a strong message to their rivals and perhaps, putting extra pressure on All Blacks' coach Scott Robertson after what was labeled as the All Blacks' heaviest defeat.