Cheslin Kolbe, a winger for the Springboks, shared his feelings about what was going through in the later stages of the Rugby World Cup.
In the 73rd minute of the match between South Africa and New Zealand, referee Wayne Barnes booked Kolbe with a yellow card for allegedly slapping down an All Blacks pass.
While his actions prevented the All Blacks from mounting a serious attack, they also meant he had to watch the rest of the final from the sin bin with apprehension.
watching the championship game from the stands
Four years after Kolbe’s pivotal try in the 2019 World Cup final against England, he was barely able to watch the remainder of the game as South Africa, down a man, defended a one-point lead.
The winger claims that his perseverance during the later phases was fueled by his faith.
During a visit to Kraaifontein, his childhood home, Kolbe told reporters on Friday, “Getting a yellow card in the World Cup final is disappointing.”
“I was more disappointed in myself because, at the time, I had let my teammates and the entire country down.”
Upon glancing at the time, I decided to sit on the chair as I knew I wouldn’t be returning to the field. I cried and prayed simultaneously as I pulled the jersey over my head.
“If this was meant to be for us, I was praying that God would see us through to the end. Though I would have loved to, I believe that finishing the game was not God’s will for me or my calling.
“I believe he was calling for me to leave for the previous eight to ten minutes. I truly think that’s where God intended me to be at that particular moment.
The last Whistle
The 30-year-old speedster claimed he did not hear Barnes blow the final whistle to end the game, despite the cameras panning to him several times during the game’s closing moments and the Stade de France roaring throughout.
He went on, “To tell the truth, I didn’t hear the last whistle blow.”
I was pulled by a member of the management team, and that’s when I realized we had won the World Cup and would be returning with gold to South Africa. I was so relieved.
We are aware of its effects and how they bind our nation together; we also understand how crucial a victory would be for South Africa.
“It seems like what we need, and hopefully we can keep doing that and it doesn’t end.”
