MARSEILLE (AFP) – South Africa captain Siya Kolisi insists the Boks are under no pressure as they kick off the defence of their World Cup title against a resurgent Scotland in Marseille today.
Kolisi led the Springboks to a memorable victory four years ago in Japan, but this time around the champions face a much trickier pool exit.
The timing of the draw for the tournament, in December 2020, has been criticised because of how much rugby’s global landscape has shifted since then.
It means three of the top five teams in the world will face off in Pool B: Ireland, South Africa and Scotland.
All three teams are in good form, not least the Boks, who posted a record 35-7 victory over New Zealand in their final warm-up match.
But Kolisi said pressure was off the table when it came to playing, even at the 2019 final, when the Springboks hammered England 32-12.
“It’s never pressure. We speak about it bluntly and honestly,” said Kolisi, the first black African captain of the Boks.
Then-coach Rassie Erasmus, now director of rugby after Jacques Nienaber was promoted to head coach, “spoke to us before the 2019 final about what pressure is and how much an honour and a privilege we have because we’re doing what we love and we’re able to make people feel that way.
“I will never forget when we won in Japan, it was special, it felt great. But when we landed in Johannesburg – I’m actually getting goosebumps – I’ve never seen anything like that.”
