‘I Have To Pinch Myself’: Kolisi Reveals His Pre-Match Ritual And The 1995 Ghost Haunting Ellis Park
For Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Ellis Park is more than just another Test venue. It is a place where South African rugby history was made, and one that continues to inspire the current Springbok generation to create lasting memories of their own.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Test against England, the Springbok captain reflected on the significance of the venue, where South Africa lifted the 1995 Rugby World Cup in one of the country’s defining sporting moments.
“When I think of Ellis Park, I think of 1995,” Kolisi said.
“The moment was so big for SA Rugby, but also for the country. Many of our dreams were born at that point. Every time I see Joel Stransky, I have to pinch myself,” he said of the match-winning hero of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.
The 1995 triumph remains one of the most iconic moments in South African sporting history, and Kolisi believes the current Springbok squad carries that legacy every time they take the field.
“What has happened since then has slowly become the team that everyone has dreamt of,” he said.
“We carry all of those moments when we play, but we also try to create our own moments so that kids today can think of the moments we created for them.
“That ’95 moment will always be a special moment.”
While Ellis Park evokes memories of past glory, Kolisi insists the Springboks are firmly focused on writing the next chapter when they face England.
The captain also dismissed suggestions that South Africa’s relentless intensity can sometimes work against them, referencing last year’s dramatic defeat to Australia, something they are determined not to repeat.
In that match, Australia produced a stunning comeback to beat South Africa 38-22 in the opening round of the Rugby Championship. The Wallabies recovered from a 22-0 deficit to score 38 unanswered points, ending a 62-year winless run at the iconic venue.
“We know what went wrong against Australia, and it wasn’t about the tempo. We went out of our system and got carried away. It wasn’t because the intensity was too high.
“It’s more because we got too comfortable, if I can put it that way, and we strayed from our plan. If it happens again, we’ll know how to correct it.”
Kolisi will also mark another milestone against England, the same opposition he first captained in a Test match. Despite now being one of the most experienced leaders in world rugby, he admits the pre-match nerves have never disappeared.
“When the nerves and butterflies go, it’s time to stop,” he said.
“I still feel the same way I felt in my first game. I am always nervous. I still go through the same rituals before a game, but the closer we get to kick-off, the more I look for peace,” Kolisi admitted.
“At that point, there is nothing more you can do to prepare. I try to switch off and listen to my worship music to calm down.”
Surrounded by a core of experienced teammates while welcoming a new generation into the squad, Kolisi believes the Springboks’ greatest strength lies in the open environment fostered within the group.
“I’ve been lucky because I have guys that I have been playing with for so long. The new guys also come with different ideas about the game,” he said.
“What I enjoy about the group is that everyone has a voice. Sometimes it’s the voices that haven’t been around for long, through the young players, that help us see things differently, and that’s what is good about the team,” explained the Springbok captain.
“We are all leaders, and we all have something to contribute.”
As the Springboks return to one of rugby’s most sacred venues, Kolisi hopes the latest chapter at Ellis Park will inspire another generation, just as the heroes of 1995 inspired him.
