Rugby World Cup final: Inspirational South Africa captain Siya Kolisi chases history against New Zealand

On Saturday, the Rugby World Cup final will see South African and New Zealand teams competing against each other for the first time since 1995.

During that particular event, the South African team, who were also the hosts of the tournament, emerged victorious in a tightly contested match, winning 15-12 and earning the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup for the very first time.

Following the conclusion of the period of apartheid, a triumph was achieved whereby Nelson Mandela, the President of South Africa, awarded the trophy to Francois Pienaar, the captain of the Springboks. This moment was truly remarkable and is now considered an iconic image in the world of sports. Mandela wore a replica of Pienaar's jersey with the number 6 on it, making the moment even more powerful and symbolic. It signalled the nation's resolve to come to terms with a tumultuous past and reconcile their differences.

After 24 long years, history was made once again when Siya Kolisi, an exceptional inspiration, led his team to triumph in the 2019 final against England. This remarkable achievement made him the very first Black captain to guide South Africa to World Cup success.

Kolisi was born in the township of Zwide, located near Port Elizabeth. His birth took place in an environment plagued by extreme poverty. Despite this, he has become a symbol of hope and inspiration, proving that even the most unlikely dreams can come true for those in similar circumstances both in South Africa and around the world.

Truly, his involvement in the current World Cup is incredibly impressive. He experienced a severe knee injury in April and had to undergo surgery. Despite this setback, he persisted and worked hard to regain his fitness.

After being an active follower of Christianity, Kolisi eventually recognized the significance his unwavering faith had in his retrieval process. Presently, he is presented with the opportunity to join the ranks of the esteemed All Blacks' captain, Richie McCaw, as the sole leader to have won successive tournaments.

According to Reuters, the 32-year-old expressed that achieving such an event is not easily imaginable since it is a rare occurrence. The statement was made before a significant match where both nations are competing for the highly desirable fourth winning title.

Kolisi remarked that he doesn't foresee a scenario where two teams like this will face off again in our lifetime. He further stated that the upcoming match is likely to be the most monumental game that he has ever played.

The popular Springbok acknowledges that his team is carrying the aspirations of an entire country. He shared, "Folks send us videos and convey that watching us play is often the only time they feel joyous. It's quite humbling."

When we engage in a game or when someone chooses you, it's for a cause that's greater than your individuality.

Kolisi will have Bongi Mbonambi standing with him during Saturday's game. This comes after World Rugby decided not to impose charges against the Springboks hooker for supposedly using discriminatory language against Tom Curry of England in the semifinals. This was due to a lack of convincing evidence.

Kolisi shared that he had contacted Curry in response to the mistreatment and intimidating messages that Curry and his loved ones had endured on the internet.

"I understand how it feels. As athletes, we can handle the pressure when it's directed towards us. However, when it affects our loved ones, the situation becomes more complicated," stated the captain from South Africa. "This is the aspect of the sport that we dislike the most."

Although New Zealand emerged victorious in the past three encounters against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup, they won't forget the shocking loss they faced in August. The current top-ranked team, South Africa, defeated the All Blacks by a massive margin of 35-7 in Twickenham Stadium, London.

Some people made the mistake of dismissing New Zealand's chances after they lost their first match against France in the tournament. However, the team is now determined to win the world championship title just like they did in 2015.

Whitelock is a famous Kiwi athlete who is retiring from his international career after the tournament. He is one among many other Kiwi stars who are also doing the same. However, the 35-year-old athlete is aware that he has a unique opportunity to become the sport's first-ever three-time champion.

Ian Foster, the current head coach of New Zealand, is going to participate in his final game. This is unexpected as it provides New Zealand with a chance to win the championship.

Under Foster's leadership, the All Blacks have experienced eleven losses and two ties within the past four years. However, despite this, the 58-year-old coach has successfully led the team to four Rugby Championship titles.

This week, we find ourselves in the exhilarating position of being in the final of the World Cup. Our team is ecstatic about it, but we're also being careful not to let our emotions cloud our focus. At the same time, we're receiving a flood of messages from folks back home, and even in France, people have been overwhelmingly supportive. According to Foster, we're currently working on juggling all of these factors in order to stay grounded and maintain our momentum.

Foster stated that both teams are exceptional and possess distinct styles. They excel at their respective approaches, and we strive to do the same for our style.

Three siblings with the surname Barrett, namely Scott, Jordie, and Beauden, will be playing for the team that has won the tournament three times. Additionally, Will Jordan, who plays as a winger, has the opportunity to set a new record for the most tries scored at a World Cup if he manages to add to the eight he already has.

The World Cup final rematch, which occurs after 28 years, has finally arrived amidst two months of thrilling and exciting gameplay. The two highest-ranked teams in the world will compete in front of an enormous crowd of 80,000 at Stade de France in Paris. This is a significant match that both teams are eager to triumph over.