Siya Kolisi Applauds Coaches and Referees for Clear Communication in Springboks vs Ireland Tie
- Siya Kolisi has commented on the Springboks' win over Ireland during their ongoing end-of-the-year tour
- The South African rugby national team captain singled out the referees and coaches, highlighting what they did in the match
- Rassie Erasmus also reflected on his team's victory over Ireland for the first time since 2012 in Dublin
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has reacted to South Africa's mouthwatering win over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Source: Getty Images
The 34-year-old, who has been in the news due to his rumoured relationship with Rachel John, captained the South African rugby side to victory against Ireland for the first time since 2012.
Kolisi hails referees and coaches
Siya Kolisi praised the coaches and referees for their consistent communication throughout the match, explaining that it helped the team make effective decisions at halftime.
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He noted that they were always aware of what was happening on the field, which allowed them to capitalise on penalties, exploit Ireland’s numerical disadvantage and use the scrum to their advantage.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus was also gracious in victory as he reflected on the physicality of his team’s performance against Ireland. He acknowledged that Ireland had also been extremely physical, making crucial tackles and turnovers inside the 22-metre area, and said he did not think the visitors came off second best.
Erasmus noted that if Ireland had scored in the final four minutes, the game could have swung back in their favour.
He admitted that the Springboks’ performance was not perfect but emphasised that they were relieved to finally remove a longstanding “monkey on their backs.” Erasmus added that the match was not about revenge, as some had suggested, but about correcting past mistakes.
Source: Getty Images
While the Springboks were dominant in the scrums, he acknowledged they were not superior in every department and explained that their strategy accounted for Ireland being reduced to seven men.
The team is set to depart for Wales on Sunday for the final match of their November tour in Cardiff.
Here is what Springboks fans are saying about their performance against Ireland on social media.
Kiren Govender said:
"South Africa was worse; not sure who was the captain on the day because everyone was making decisions. Take the points that are the basics of rugby. Then make the play. The opposition will be put under pressure because the scoreboards are ticking, but no, they tried to muscle Ireland out, which was met with Irish resolve, admirable under the circumstances, which further underline their resilience and bolster their unlikely comeback with men on the bench. This wasn’t a match between arguably two of the best teams in rugby currently, but a brawl which got out of hand. Not fit for the game of rugby, but one not remembered for running play but for immaturity and brawn on both sides."
Lance Holloway commented:
"The Boks didn't care about the scoreboard as much as driving home the message. Good Irish fighting spirit. The ref handled the chaos well enough ✨🏉🍺🍺."
Sarel Francois Brits reacted:
"Happy they won. Well done, however, not a good second Half in my opinion, let's be honest, the boys could not cross the try line once, no lack in trying, had more than enough chances."
Toni Loxton shared:
"It wasn't great, beautiful, flowing rugby, but we won in Dublin!!! Yay! Can someone explain why Sasha didn't get a yellow card when it was raining cards? When we win, I want to feel that decisions were fair."
Billy Sturgeon added:
"It was great to win. However, all the brawn and power in the last 20 minutes brought nothing against a team that could not scrum."
Kolisi appreciates his biggest supporter
Briefly News also reported that Kolisi took time to appreciate his biggest supporter after hitting a new milestone with the Springboks.
The Boks captain led his team to victory against France in Paris last weekend.
Source: Briefly News
