The gripping finale of Chasing the Sun 2 not only showcased the incredibly tense week leading up to the Springboks’ victory over New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final but also shed light on the emotionally taxing campaign that led to their historic triumph.
One of the most significant challenges the Springboks faced during the build-up to the final was the media storm surrounding hooker Bongi Mbonambi’s alleged racial slur towards England’s Tom Curry in the semi-final.
Mbonambi expressed his frustration in the documentary, stating, “When they showed me the clip, I was like: What? It didn’t distract me, but I was pissed off that I was accused of something like that.”
Despite the distraction, Mbonambi received overwhelming support from his family and teammates, particularly from then SA Rugby director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, who stated, “I trust Bongi Mbonambi with my life, so if Bongi said I must relax because he knew what he said, then I had scope to relax.”
Captain Siya Kolisi also voiced his frustration with the English media’s handling of the situation, saying, “The English media, they’re so f****d up. They asked whether I’d spoken to Tom Curry and no one asked me anything about Bongi.”
Springboks’ Bench Composition: A Crucial Decision
Another critical aspect of the Springboks’ preparation for the final was the composition of their bench. The coaching staff opted for a 7/1 split, with Cheslin Kolbe serving as the reserve scrumhalf option despite being the starting left wing.
This decision was met with mixed reactions from the players, with Cobus Reinach expressing his disappointment: “What? My f*k! It was probably the toughest day of my career. I had a few minutes to feel sorry for myself and get over it.”
Coach Jacques Nienaber’s fiery speech to the team encapsulated the Springboks’ resilience: “When South Africans see obstacles, it fertilises their creativity and they have to find a way. They didn’t expect you to get past the quarter-finals in 2019, but the beauty of this team is that they can script anything they want about this team, but at the end of the day, we decide what the end of the movie will look like.”
Chasing the Sun 2 Captures the Emotion of the Final
The documentary delved into every emotive thread of the final, from Mbonambi’s early knee injury to the yellow cards received by Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe in the second half.
Kolbe expressed his anguish after his yellow card, saying, “I felt like I dropped the whole nation and my team-mates. It was a dark moment for me because I looked up to the clock and there were 72 minutes gone and I knew I wasn’t going back onto the field.”
Erasmus also shared his tactical advice to Pieter-Steph du Toit, which led to the flanker’s man-of-the-match performance: “I told him Jordie Barrett’s body is so long, you can’t tackle him high. Just tackle him on the chest and you will f**k him up for the whole game. Just be on his case.”
A Powerful Storytelling Experience
Chasing the Sun 2 tore open the heartstrings of a campaign that felt like a long-awaited homecoming for a team that had endured so much. The theme of rain and tears was cleverly interwoven throughout the documentary, symbolising the emotional release felt by the players, coaches, and the entire nation.
As Damian Willemse hinted at the possibility of a Chasing the Sun 3, saying, “We’re not done yet. We’re going for the three-peat, so Chasing the Sun 3, let’s go,” fans were left with a sense of anticipation for what the future may hold for this remarkable Springbok team.
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