Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springboks, has disclosed the conversation he had with teammate Cheslin Kolbe after the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. Both players were on the sidelines when the match ended, with Kolisi substituted and Kolbe receiving a yellow card. Kolbe was in tears and couldn't bear to watch the final stages of the game. Kolisi quickly embraced him to celebrate and console him. Kolisi revealed that he told Kolbe that he loved him and was proud of him.

He understood how Kolbe felt, as he had also been yellow carded earlier in the match. Kolisi was confident that he wouldn't receive a red card for his tackle, as he knew the rules. South Africa went on to win the final and become the second team to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups. Kolisi joined Richie McCaw as the only captains to defend their titles and lift the William Webb Ellis Cup twice.