“We Lost Our First Game Too” – Kolisi Sends Powerful Message To Bafana Ahead Of South Korea Clash
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has urged South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana as they prepare for a crucial final FIFA World Cup group-stage clash against South Korea on Thursday.
With anticipation building ahead of the decisive encounter, Kolisi delivered a message of support, encouraging the nation to stand firmly behind the national team.
The match will take place at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, kicking off at 19:00 local time on Wednesday in Mexico, which is 03:00 on Thursday in South Africa.
Reflecting on Bafana Bafana’s campaign so far, Kolisi acknowledged the disappointment of their opening defeat to Mexico but praised the team’s response in their second outing against Czechia.
Bafana’s World Cup campaign began with a 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico, courtesy of goals from Julian Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.
The match was further complicated by disciplinary issues, as Bafana Bafana were reduced to nine men following red cards shown to Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane, leaving the side with a daunting task for much of the contest.
Head coach Hugo Broos faced criticism after the defeat, particularly over his decision to alter the team’s usual formation and some of his selections in the starting line-up.
Supporters and pundits questioned whether the tactical adjustments disrupted the team’s rhythm in such a high-pressure opening match.
“The people of the country were not happy after a tough loss in the first game,” Kolisi said.
However, he noted that Bafana’s second outing — a 1-1 draw against Czechia, in which Teboho Mokoena scored the team’s first goal of the tournament from the penalty spot — restored a sense of optimism.
“The way they responded in the second game and the amount of attacking football they played, even though they couldn’t convert their chances, was promising. They fought until the end and eventually got the penalty,” he said.
“I really believe they have it in them. You don’t always get it right.”
Kolisi drew parallels with the Springboks’ own Rugby World Cup journey, recalling their opening 23-13 defeat to New Zealand in 2019 as evidence that an early setback does not define a tournament.
The Springboks recovered from that loss and ultimately went on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
“We lost our first game of the World Cup against New Zealand. We just need to get behind them. I know for a fact that Ronwen Williams and his team are giving their best at all times,” he said.
“Let’s be as positive as we can and get behind them. I can’t tell them what to do in football, but coach Rassie Erasmus always tells us that the opposition must never outwork you in terms of intensity, and that’s really important,” Kolisi explained.
“I am sure they know that.”
Fresh from helping the Springboks defeat the Barbarians at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, Kolisi continued:
“As South Africans, we want to see our teams work hard. We don’t want to see them give up. It has to be a fight. That’s all I can say from my side, although I can’t speak about anything technical.”
Kolisi also extended his support beyond football, highlighting the resilience shown by the Proteas Women’s cricket team.
After opening their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a defeat to Australia, the Proteas bounced back with important victories over Pakistan and India to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
“Also, all the best to the women’s cricket team, who bounced back after losing their opening game. Laura and the girls are doing their thing, so I wish them well too,” he said in support of captain Laura Wolvaardt and the South African women’s national cricket team.
With momentum building across South African sport and several national teams showing resilience on the global stage, Kolisi’s message remains clear: belief, hard work and unity are the key ingredients as Bafana Bafana head into their decisive encounter against South Korea.
