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"I don't think you can write a better script" - BJ Botha on Siya Kolisi and South Africa

Former Munster and Ulster prop BJ Botha believes Siya Kolisi's story adds an extra layer of symbo...



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"I don't think you can write a better script" - BJ Botha on Siya Kolisi and South Africa


Former Munster and Ulster prop BJ Botha believes Siya Kolisi's story adds an extra layer of symbolism to South Africa's 2019 Rugby World Cup glory.

The 2007 World Cup winner joined us on the Off The Ball Rugby World Cup Show and touched on the current Springbok captain who had watched Botha and co playing in that final 12 years ago from a tavern because he didn't have a TV at home.

A dozen years on, Kolisi lifted the trophy himself as South Africa's first black captain.

"I don't think you can write a better script," said Botha of Kolisi.

"Just someone really coming from - as he said in one of his write-ups - watching the 2007 final in a tavern. I spoke last week briefly on radio about the kids in South Africa living a dream really.

"It just shows clearly that pathway that they can go, if they do the hard work and have that belief.

"This really is ingrained in us. This is a great day and incredible day for Springbok rugby. But for me, it's even a bigger day for the country. Rugby resonates through every part of South Africa for those 80 minutes.

"At the weekend, everyone was just focused on that. And obviously, with things to come, I think the guys are just going to ride that wave.

"Hopefully, it will continue and they build on this. So it's really exciting for me from a rugby perspective in South Africa.

"Will it have changed much of what's going on at the moment? I think it will aid in that."

Rassie Erasmus

 

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Ex-Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been the central figure behind South Africa's resurgence. Botha played against World Cup-winning head coach, who also was a technical advisor for the 2007 tournament.

"Rassie has been coming through the ranks and has always been an intelligent coach," he said.

"He's really a coach that the youngsters looked up to. And I think that's how he's got this young-ish squad to believe. It is a mix of experience and youth and players that are in form.

But yeah, he's a top coach and I'm not surprised what he's done with the squad."

You can watch the full BJ Botha interview above via our YouTube channel. Neil Treacy also picked his World Cup XI which he talked through at the beginning of the show.

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BJ Botha Off The Ball Rassie Erasmus Rugby Rugby World Cup Show South Africa