Springboks Tonga
The Springboks and Tonga shared a memorable moment after the World Cup match on Sunday night. Photo: X

Home » Prayers, jersey swaps: Boks, Tonga display rugby brotherhood

Prayers, jersey swaps: Boks, Tonga display rugby brotherhood

Check out some of the special scenes following the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup win over Tonga in Marseille on Sunday.

By Craig Lewis
02-10-23 15:05
in Sport
Springboks Tonga
The Springboks and Tonga shared a memorable moment after the World Cup match on Sunday night. Photo: X

Coach Jacques Nienaber and captain Siya Kolisi praised the Springboks’ latest effort and physicality against Tonga on Sunday night in their final Rugby World Cup pool match, and doing all they could to remain in the running to defend their title.

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It was a tense and physical affair in Marseille, but once the dust had settled on the on-field action, there were some special scenes after the game that once again demonstrated the special spirit of the World Cup.

Tonga captain Ben Tameifuna and Bok skipper Siya Kolisi could be seen swapping jerseys in one memorable exchange, while players from both teams were also seen joining arms in a huddle as they shared a prayer.

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CHECK OUT SOME OF THE SPECIAL SCENES FROM THE SPRINGBOKS-TONGA MATCH:

BOKS NOW TAKING A BREATHER

The Springboks – who beat Tonga by 49-18 – currently lead Pool B with 15 points, although they’ve played one more match than Ireland (in second place with 14 points) and Scotland (in third place with 10 points), with those teams yet to face one another in their final pool match on Saturday, 7 October.

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All three teams are still in the quarter-final race, with one set to drop out of the competition at the conclusion of the pool stages.

With a week off before the team knows their fate in the competition, and another week before the quarter-final, there has been a lot to unpack.

Such was the physicality of the match and the importance of earning a bonus-point victory, Kolisi said earning his 50th cap as the Springbok captain was the last thing on his mind.

“The only thing I was thinking about was the physicality of the match,” said Kolisi.

“They were tough. We knew they would run hard at us, and they never stopped. I applaud the boys for sticking to the plan. We got the bonus point, and we accumulated as much points as we could.”

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