Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, thanked the fans as he led his team to Japan for the 2019Rugby World Cup, declaring that “hard work” still lies ahead.
TheSpringboks held a farewell function at OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg on Friday.
“We embrace and appreciate it and we are grateful for the South African public who are right behind us,” said Kolisi.
However, Kolisi warned that hard work lies ahead in Japan.
“We will definitely build on what has worked on but we know that we have to start from scratch,” said Kolisi.
“TheRugby World Cup is a completely different animal and every single team pitches up, so we have to go there well-prepared.”
Kolisimissed the entire Rugby Championship campaign because of a knee injury, but he returned to action against Argentina in the Springboks’ last home Test match.
“I'm feeling really good, to be honest,” was his reply when asked about his current fitness levels.
The Springboks play Japan in a warm-up match on September 6 and then open their RWCpool commitments against New Zealand two weeks later, on September 21.
- African News Agency (ANA)
