Cheslin Kolbe speaks to the press during a Springbok press briefing at the The Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town Cheslin Kolbe speaks to the press during a Springbok press briefing at the The Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town. The Springboks are gearing up for their highly anticipated second Test against the All Blacks on Saturday. Photo: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers
Cheslin Kolbe is hoping that the world champions’ performances and back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins have converted a few All Blacks supporters in Cape Town into Springboks fans.
The All Blacks and their Super Rugby teams have always enjoyed good support in the Mother City, especially in the coloured communities.
It largely stems from the Apartheid years, where they were looking for an alternative team to support instead of a racially segregated South African team, which only allowed white players to run out for the team.
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Another reason is the style of rugby the All Blacks have traditionally dished up.
Despite the Springboks being skippered by a black captain in Siya Kolisi and fully transformed, with players from coloured communities such as a Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Grant Williams getting opportunities shine, the All Blacks still have a lot of fans in Cape Town and around the country.
The New Zealanders were greeted at the airport by fans when they arrived in the Mother City this week, with loose forward Ethan Blackadder saying “it was pretty cool” to see so many fans.
However, the Springboks’ support in Cape Town still dwarfs those numbers, as was witnessed during their trophy tour when the city came to a standstill, while people lined the streets to see their heroes.
“We had a great trophy tour here after the World Cup with great support all over South Africa. Hopefully we have won over more support,” Kolbe said ahead of their second Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks.
“The only thing we can do more is to win, and hopefully earn a bit more respect here. Yes, the All Blacks do have a good support base in Cape Town, but I’m sure the majority of supporters will be cheering on the Springboks.”
While the All Blacks will have some support at Cape Town Stadium, Kolbe and the Springboks are more worried the team on the field following their nail-biting win at Ellis Park.
It wasn’t vintage Springboks, as the All Blacks shot out of the blocks with fast start and found themlseves 10 points up going into the last 10 minutes.
But the Boks, as they have done so often over the last year, found a way to come back in. THis team just doesn’t know when to quit.
“They are a team with a great all-round skill set. In the past it’s always been about that fast start they come with. They catch you off guard,” said Kolbe. “We have to make sure we also start fast and don’t get caught out.
“In the past we weren’t able to come back from 10 points behind and finish a game off with a win. But it just shows you the character of this group and the belief of each and every player, and the willingness not to give up.
“We don’t want to have any regrets when we go onto the field.”
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