Siya Kolisi urges South Africans to unite against GBV

The call comes amid renewed national concern following the discovery of nine women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni since July, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Authorities have not confirmed that the cases are connected, although similarities between some of the incidents have intensified public concern. Kolisi says athletes have a responsibility to speak out against violence targeting women, while stressing that lasting change will require society as a whole to take a stand against GBV.

"It's important for me, for the sporting teams in our country, the male sporting teams to start speaking up about what's happening because we're the first ones to ask the country to get behind us. We should be the first ones being annoyed and angered with what's happening in our country," Kolisi said

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"We need to make sure that we use our platform for good because we are servants of South Africa and whatever is hurting people in South Africa should be hurting us as well because it's not only young boys that watch me, it's also young girls, you know, and also we've got the Springboks women's team there and safety also depends on us, on me being educated, acting the right way and using my platform the right way, you know."

"So yeah, I just want to encourage everyone in South Africa to unite behind ending gender-based violence as they unite towards all the sporting teams when they play. It's really important, especially the men's teams. We've got to use our voices more."

The Springboks have resumed preparations in Terrigal, New South Wales, ahead of their one-off Test against the Wallabies in Perth next Sunday.

The squad arrived in Australia on Wednesday following their successful Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry campaign in the USA, where they secured a three-one series victory over New Zealand. After their long journey, captain Siya Kolisi says the team has settled into its new surroundings and has already received strong support from South Africans living in Australia.

Kolisi says the Springboks will not abandon the principles that have guided them, despite having to make adjustments for a different Australian challenge.

The captain says the Wallabies present a different style and threat to New Zealand.

Australia will be looking to make the most of home advantage with next year’s Rugby World Cup now less than a year away. The Springboks will also return to Perth during the tournament, where they are scheduled to face Romania in their third Pool B match.

Rassie Erasmus expects the Wallabies to be highly motivated when they meet the Boks, particularly with Australian supporters behind them. The Springbok coach says his side must be ready for a completely different contest after the physical demands of their four-Test series against New Zealand.