The Springbok paused their training session on Thursday morning to send an incredible message of support — complete with a powerful gwijo hymn — to Hugo Broos' men ahead of Thursday night's Fifa World Cup opener in Mexico. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Double World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has wished his football counterparts, Bafana Bafana, well ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, saying they are behind the team like the rest of their countrymen.
Bafana will face Mexico in the opening match of the global showpiece at Azteca Stadium on Thursday night (kick-off 9pm). This clash marks their return to the event since they hosted it 16 years ago. Bafana have united the country through their qualification campaign, with multitudes backing them to do well at the event and reach the knockout stage for the first time in four attempts.
Their rugby counterparts, the Springboks, know all about playing in major tournaments and excelling, as they are back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions after winning their own showpiece in 2019 and 2023.
Amid their preparations ahead of the rugby season at Johannesburg Stadium on Thursday, the Springboks' captain, Kolisi, surrounded by his teammates and technical staff, took time to wish Bafana well ahead of the showpiece in North America.
