Perth may as well be called “Perthfontein” when the Springboks and South Africa’s UFC champion Dricus du Plessis go to battle Australian city this weekend.
Perth has a large South African population, with almost 50 000 expats residing in Western Australia. And they are ready to paint it green and gold on Saturday and Sunday when the Springboks and Du Plessis go into battle.
The Springboks wrap up the Australian leg of their Rugby Championship assault with a second match against the Wallabies at the Optus Stadium following their dominant 33-7 win over the Aussies in Brisbane, which also featured a large South African crowd.
On Sunday, just down the road, Du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight title against bitter rival and former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.
To add the the excitement, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and big lock Eben Etzebeth will accompany Du Plessis to the octagon ahead of the fight, while most of the other members of the Springboks team will be in the crowd.
This week Kolisi, who has been rested for Saturday’s match, and some of the Springboks had a meet up with Du Plessis ahead of this weekend’s action. In typical inspirational fashion, Kolisi gave Du Plessis a few words of encouragement.
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“You came halfway around the world to watch us play [at the 2023 World Cup in France]. I hope we inspire you as much as you inspire us,” Kolisi said in a video shared on X.
“We do it as a team, while you go into the ring by yourself. But we are all behind you. This is not just for South Africa, but the whole of Africa.
“Thank you for asking me and my bestie [Etzebeth] to walk with you!”
Du Plessis says it’s going to be incredible to have the Springboks with him at the fight, saying he has looked up to the Boks his entire life.
The MMA fighter also predicted a “clean sweep” of victories for everyone in green and gold in Perth this weekend.
“As a young kid, you look at the Springboks and see super heroes,” Du Plessis said.
“Every young kid in South Africa wants to be a Springbok, and you look at those guys and you think ‘it’s impossible, they are mythical creatures’. But when you meet them, you see they are human and awesome people.
“For me to be here today, having all of you supporting me, it means the absolute world. We have showed the world that we can do it and it’s going to be a clean sweep, I have no doubt!
“I can’t wait to make you and the country proud, just like you guys are going to make us proud on Saturday.”
@JohnGoliath82