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South Africa are playing in the second tier of WXV and will complete their campaign on Saturday against Italy, following a win over Japan and defeat by Australia.<\/p>\n
Crowds for some matches have been disappointing, with only a few hundred spectators in the 55,000-capacity DHL Stadium for Wales’ game against Australia on the opening weekend.<\/p>\n
However, attendances have been better for the hosts’ games with Kolisi estimating that he was one of 4,000 spectators for the 33-26 defeat by the Wallaroos.<\/p>\n
Kolisi says the tournament has provided the teams with valuable playing time and exposure that can help the whole sport.<\/p>\n
“WXV is so important – it creates more opportunities,” he added. <\/p>\n
“For us as men, we have three games in June or July, then the Rugby Championship and then another three or four at the end of the year tour – it might be 13 games.<\/p>\n
“The more time we spend together, the better we get, and that is what they [Springbok women] need.<\/p>\n
“If we help the women’s game grow, it means rugby is growing, more are playing and exposed to rugby – we are all benefitting and eating out of that.”<\/p>\n
Kolisi also urged corporate sponsors to consider the mutual benefit they can create by investing in the growing women’s game.<\/p>\n
“It is easy to give to someone who has already made it, that everyone knows about,” he said. <\/p>\n
“But imagine being the sponsor who has backed the women from the beginning – when they make it and you can talk about the journey you have travelled.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n