In the stillness of Springbok camp, before the roar of 80,000 voices at the Stade de France, head coach Rassie Erasmus pressed play on a short video, and the room fell completely silent.
The message on the screen didn’t come from a sports psychologist or a motivational speaker. It came from Hamediehs Rugby Football Club, a 130-year-old beacon of hope on the Cape Flats, where rugby isn’t regarded as just a pastime, but a lifeline.
The video, titled “Hamediehs – An Ark of hope – How Rugby Saved Us ”, tells the story of a 13-year-old boy navigating the harsh realities of township life, poverty, violence, and the pull of despair.
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That is until he finds refuge between the try lines at Hamediehs RFC. It’s there, on a field of dust and dreams, that he discovers belonging and purpose.
For Erasmus, preparing to lead the Boks for the 50th time, the video struck the perfect chord. And when he shared it with his players, it didn’t just inspire them, it reminded them why they play. Every man in green and gold saw a reflection of his own story flickering on that screen.
“Salaam! (Peace), yes, that video is special for so many reasons,” said Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who will lead South Africa in his 100th Test on Saturday against France.
“In that clip we saw what club rugby does for the kids in the community.”
Then his voice softened, heavy with emotion.
“Rugby is more than just a sport to us. People say that, but for us, it saved us. It kept us from so many things we were never supposed to be exposed to as children.”
Kolisi’s connection to the message was deeply personal. His own journey, from the dusty streets of Zwide to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 and again in 2023, mirrors that of the boy in the video.
“To see that clip and know kids are still going through that, it hits deep,” he said.
“I’ve been given a platform, and it’s our duty to make sure we create a better tomorrow for those kids, to make it safer, to give them choices. That’s what rugby has done for me.”
For Kolisi, this milestone match is not about the numbers or the medals. It’s about meaning.
“It’s not just about the trophies,” he said.
“The trophies give us a platform to give back. This game isn’t about me, it’s for those kids at Hamediehs, for every boy and girl whose lives are changed by rugby.”
He credits Erasmus for continually reminding the team that their mission stretches far beyond the final whistle.
“Coach Rassie speaks about it all the time,” Kolisi added.
“It’s not just about winning or losing. Our drive goes deeper. Rugby doesn’t just change lives for 80 minutes; it saves them from the things that can take their lives away.”
As the Springboks prepare for their monumental clash with France, that short video, born from the heart of the Cape Flats, will echo through every tackle, every scrum, every beat of their hearts.
Because for Siya Kolisi and for countless South Africans, rugby is not simply a game.
It’s hope. It’s family. It’s the hand that pulls you from the storm.
Watch the full video here: Rugby Saved Us
Teams:
France: 15 Tomas Ramos, 14 Damien Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann le Garrec, 8 Mickaël Guillard, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Régis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Baptiste Erdocio.
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortère
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21.10 (22.10 SAST; 20.10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) & Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
