Gayton McKenzie has urged South African All Blacks supporters to put the past aside and rally behind Siya Kolisi and the Springboks.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has urged South African All Blacks supporters to trade black for green and gold and back the Springboks.
McKenzie made the appeal at the recent 19th annual SA Sports Awards at Sun City in the North West.
A video of his remarks has since circulated on TikTok.
The appeal has gained fresh relevance as the Springboks and All Blacks battle through Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, their first dedicated four-Test series in 30 years.
New Zealand opened the series with a 33-16 win at Ellis Park on 22 August, ending South Africa’s 12-match winning streak.
The Springboks responded a week later with a 33-26 victory at DHL Stadium in Cape Town to level the series at 1-1.
The defeat was New Zealand’s first of 2026 and set up a crucial third Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 September.
The rivalry stretches back more than a century. New Zealand lead the overall record with 64 wins from 112 Tests, while South Africa have won 44. Four matches ended in draws.
McKenzie used the rivalry to appeal directly to South Africans who still support the All Blacks.
“I understand that you are hurt. That’s why you’re supporting the All Blacks. I used to support the All Blacks myself,” he said.
“But there comes a time and a place in everybody’s life where patriotism must come first.”
He then urged supporters to make the switch.
“I’m asking you: can you get rid of your All Black T-shirts and put on your green T-shirt? This is your country. This is our country,” he said.
The All Blacks have long enjoyed strong support in parts of South Africa.
During apartheid, many Black and coloured rugby supporters rejected the Springbok emblem because they associated it with racially segregated sport. Some instead backed New Zealand.
McKenzie argued that the modern Springboks represent a different South Africa and singled out captain Siya Kolisi.
“The captain of the Springboks is a Black from the Eastern Cape, Siya Kolisi. He’s your child. He’s my child,” he said.
Kolisi grew up in Zwide in the Eastern Cape and became the first Black player to captain the Springboks in a Test match in 2018.
He later led South Africa to consecutive Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023.
“You’ve made your point. We’ve heard you. But now is the time to don your Springbok jersey,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie has spoken openly about his own past support for New Zealand.
During the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he publicly backed the All Blacks.
“I love rugby, I however love my people more. I cannot support the Springboks at RWC 2015. I will be supporting the All Blacks,” he wrote at the time.
His position later changed.
After the Springboks beat New Zealand 18-12 at DHL Stadium in Cape Town in September 2024, McKenzie noted how support had shifted among Western Cape rugby fans.
“A lot of us used to scream for the All Blacks, particularly in the Western Cape,” he said.
He added that “times have really changed under Rassie”, referring to Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
At the SA Sports Awards, McKenzie again argued that the Springboks’ transformation should change how South Africans view the national team.
“Let us let bygones be bygones. Let us forget the past. We are Springboks, and Springboks are us,” he said.
“The journey of the Springboks tells us something important. South Africa can change, unite and win because of that unity, not in spite of that.”
