Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth were among the Springboks ringside for compatriot Dricus du Plessis’ successful UFC middleweight title defence in Perth on Sunday.
Du Plessis submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round of a thrilling bout to retain his belt at UFC 305 at RAC Arena.
The 30-year-old South African stunned his Nigeria-born New Zealand opponent with a right hook before taking him down and securing the win via rear-naked choke.
Du Plessis was earlier walked out by Kolisi and Etzebeth, and the two-time World Cup winners couldn’t contain their excitement following the victory for ‘Stillknocks’.
Siya and Eben = All of us!!
pic.twitter.com/vginsk9BKl— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) August 18, 2024
Dricus du Plessis walks out with Siya Kolisi and Eben etsebeth to the national anthem 🇿🇦
Dricus Du Plessis (South Africa) vs Israel Adesanya (Nigeria) #dricusduplessis pic.twitter.com/7tgFvuWg0T
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) August 18, 2024
ICYMI – Boks, Dricus call a clean sweep in Oz
The Boks won 30-12 on Saturday at Optus Stadium in the Rugby Championship to complete a rare whitewash of the Wallabies Down Under.
Last week, they met with Du Plessis to lend their support, and the likes of Ox Nche, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe were in the crowd on Sunday while former Boks Rudy Paige and Bryan Habana got closer to the action.
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When the champ comes to give you a high five 🤩🤩🤩🤩🔥🔥🔥 @dricusduplessis pic.twitter.com/66GhVqXiU4
— Rudy Paige (@paige_rudy) August 18, 2024
Aaaaannnnndddddddd STILL… MIDDLEWEIGHT champion of the WORLD!!!
🥇 @dricusduplessis 🥇@SiyaKolisi @PeterGrant_ pic.twitter.com/LP5evuBFJu— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) August 18, 2024
Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
