Bryan Habana has dedicated South Africa’s World Cup semi-final to teacher Zukisa Kela, whose last words were “Go Springboks Go” before being drowned by a gang.
Habana opened South Africa’s press conference on Tuesday by paying tribute to 25-year-old rugby coach Kela, who was tied up and thrown into a lake by a 12-strong gang.
Johannesburg social sciences teacher Kela’s last words have been reported as “Viva maBokoboko viva”, leaving the Springboks shocked – but once again hopeful rugby can unite their homeland.
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South Africa face defending-champions New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, with wing Habana expressing his side’s extra level of motivation.
“To Zukisa Kela and his family after the tragedy that happened in South Africa, our thoughts and prayers are with you,” said Habana.
“He was tragically drowned in South Africa, and on drowning his last words were ‘Viva maBokoboko viva’, which is ‘Go Springboks go’.
“That passion and fire that he showed for South Africa, on his last moment, was pretty special. That’s something that we as a Springboks team were really saddened to hear about. To be able to see the support and passion he had for the Springboks makes the reason we play this game, the reason we play for our country so much more special.
“To his family, friends, the school where he taught: we’re thinking of you, you’re in our prayers. Hopefully we can continue doing our country proud, and hopefully by doing what we do on a Saturday we can bring a country together, unite a country – and make sure that whatever happens back home people have hope.”
New Zealand centre Conrad Smith has described South Africa as the All Blacks’ “ultimate rival.”
New Zealand and South Africa last met in World Cup combat 12 years ago, when an All Blacks team containing the likes of current captain Richie McCaw, Carlos Spencer, Doug Howlett and Justin Marshall won a quarter-final clash 29-9 in Melbourne.
Since that meeting, New Zealand have beaten the Springboks 18 times from 27 starts, and their performance in demolishing France four days ago confirmed them as firm favourites to reach a second successive World Cup final.
But Smith, who has faced South Africa on 17 occasions during his 92-cap Test career, said: “It’s a very special rivalry.
“I grew up during the apartheid era, when Australia were the traditional foes, but now South Africa have come back into it and I think it’s got back to where it was and they are our ultimate rival. There is something special about playing them, and playing them in a semi-final will be extra special.
“We have a good relationship with most teams we play, but South Africa have a special respect for the game, and that is why two minutes after the game we are able to shake hands, walk off the pitch and have a chat with them.”