Dublin looms as Kolisi links Test to GBV awareness

THE Springboks are in Dublin this week knowing exactly what is at stake. Their last victory over Ireland in the Irish capital came in 2012, and Saturday’s Test offers another chance to break a run that has stretched over more than a decade.

The buildup has been intense, but another message has begun to rise alongside the Test. 

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, last week, asked supporters to wear purple on Friday in support of the national call to confront gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. In a video posted by @QuilterNations on X, Kolisi urged fans to shift from the usual weekly green.

“And to the people at home, thank you for supporting us and wearing green every Friday. I know we have a big femicide in our country with gender-based violence.

“Next week Friday, you know women are in trouble and kids are in trouble and next week Friday - everybody normally wears green, but now I think we can change for purple.

“Purple next week Friday to stand with our women,” Kolisi shared.

The appeal aligns with a wider movement started by Women for Change, which is calling for gender-based violence and femicide to be declared a national disaster. The organisation has asked supporters to change their profile pictures to purple and to wear black as a symbol of mourning and resistance.

Don’t worry, the Boks are focused

While the captain’s message resonates across South Africa, the players remain focused on what awaits them at the Aviva Stadium. Their 2022 visit ended in a 19-16 defeat, a result that still lingers with Cheslin Kolbe. The winger believes South Africa missed crucial moments that day and cannot afford to repeat that pattern.

“We came close in 2022, but we didn’t capitalise on a few opportunities and shots at goal, and that definitely cost us,” Kolbe said about that encounter.

“We must ensure we implement what we want to do this weekend and what the coaches have set out for us, and also be able to adapt to the scenarios on the field.”

Kolbe added that breaking their Dublin drought would be valuable, but preparation remains their main anchor. He expects a fierce aerial contest on Saturday, noting that both teams have sharpened their kicking strategies. South Africa’s back-three group – including Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie and Ethan Hooker – has already caused trouble for opposition defences this season.

Meanwhile, inside the Bok camp, any talk of revenge has been deliberately pushed aside. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has yet to guide his side to victory in Dublin, and last season’s drawn series at home against Ireland remains part of the backdrop. 

Despite that, the team insists they are shutting out the surrounding noise and concentrating on producing a strong, composed performance in a fixture loaded with expectation. And they will, as usual, do their best for each other, and their country.