Springboks look to Soweto’s past for motivation
Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springboks, has urged his side to draw inspiration from Soweto and its history ahead of the test against New Zealand at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The stadium on the edge of the Johannesburg township has hosted some of the country’s most significant sporting moments and, Kolisi said, is soaked in the memory of those who fought for freedom.
Kolisi referenced the 1976 Soweto Uprising — the student-led protests against forced language policy in schools that marked a turning point in the struggle against apartheid — as one of the reasons the fixture matters beyond rugby. "So many things that happened in Soweto helped shape the South Africa we have today," he said, according to reporting. "So many heroes have come from there... They fought for the freedom we have now and never got to experience it, and giving our best tomorrow is part of us saying thank you."
"So many things that happened in Soweto helped shape the South Africa we have today... giving our best tomorrow is part of us saying thank you." — Siya Kolisi, Springbok captain
The comments come with the four-match series between South Africa and New Zealand level at 1-1. The tests have been billed as part of rugby’s marquee rivalry; a win in Soweto would be decisive for the South African leg of the tour before a final match in Baltimore, United States, on 12 September, which organisers expect to have more of an exhibition feel.
FNB, football culture and local stakes
FNB Stadium, often called Soccer City for its history with football, has a reported capacity of 94,736 and staged the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Kolisi also pointed to Soweto’s deep football culture and the township’s role in producing many sporting heroes — a reminder that this is not only rugby territory but a stage where local pride runs deep.
- FNB Stadium capacity: 94,736 (reported)
- Series status: 1-1 between South Africa and New Zealand
- Next fixture after Soweto: Baltimore, 12 September
For many residents, the match is more than a Test; it is an opportunity to see national symbolism unfold at a place intimately tied to the country’s democratic history. Kolisi, South Africa’s first black Springbok captain, made a point of acknowledging the link between present opportunities and past sacrifice.
Results in Soweto and what they mean
Historically, meetings between the two teams in Soweto have been tough for the Springboks. Previous tests in the township ended in defeats for South Africa — 29-22 in 2010 and 32-16 in 2012 — and the team will be conscious of reversing that record on home soil, according to reporting. A win would not only tilt the series but also carry significance for local supporters who see competitive success at FNB as symbolic.
| Year | Result (South Africa v New Zealand) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 29-22 (loss) |
| 2012 | 32-16 (loss) |
Match days at FNB often bring a surge of activity across Soweto — informal traders, taxi ranks and local businesses prepare for larger crowds — and organisers are aware of the logistical pressure. For residents who remember Soweto’s role in the liberation struggle, Kolisi’s words add an extra emotional layer to the fixture: sport as both contest and commemoration.
Kolisi’s appeal to history is clear: the team must honour those who shaped the present by performing on a ground closely associated with their legacy. Whether that translates into victory on the scoreboard will be decided on the pitch, but the captain’s message has already given the Soweto match a resonance that reaches beyond rugby fans.
Kick-off at FNB Stadium is expected to draw national attention as both teams vie to claim the South African leg of the tour. For Soweto residents, it will be another chapter in a long story where sport, memory and community intersect.
