Siya Kolisi, the captain of the South African rugby team, shared his reflections after the Springboks delivered a dominant 45-12 win over Wales in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. The victory left Wales without a win throughout 2024, marking a challenging year for Warren Gatland’s side. Despite the heavy defeat, Kolisi expressed empathy towards the Welsh players, offering words of encouragement for their future.
Kolisi highlighted the gap in experience between the two teams, noting that some members of the Springbok backline had more caps than the entire Welsh starting lineup combined. This, he emphasized, was an important factor in their resounding success. The Boks’ captain further pointed out that many Welsh players are still new to the international scene, which adds to the growing pains they are experiencing as a team.
Acknowledging the difficult year Wales has endured, Kolisi reminded the Welsh players to stay hopeful. He encouraged them to keep pushing forward, stating that with time, experience would help them grow and improve. His remarks reflected his understanding of the challenges that come with building a team, particularly one that is still developing its depth and cohesion.
Kolisi’s words were a mix of encouragement and realism, showing his leadership not just on the field, but in his understanding of the broader dynamics of international rugby. He made it clear that while the Welsh team faced setbacks, they should remain confident in their long-term progress, as future years would bring more opportunities for growth and success.
