GLM TEAM 
In partnership with OMO, the Springboks look back on a year defined not only by trophies, but by tenacity – the spirit to stay unbeatable through pressure, setbacks and the triumphs of life.
Amidst 2025 European Tour, three icons of the game – Makazole Mapimpi, Jesse Kriel and Aphelele Fassi – reflect on the moments that shaped their journey and what’s next.
Johannesburg, 13 November 2025 – After a dominant 61-7 win over Japan on 1 November (nine tries, physical control, wet-weather grit), the Springboks carried that momentum into Paris – and on 8 November they secured a hard-fought 32-17 victory against France, reaffirming their status as global heavyweights. In a match that demanded everything, the Boks’ commitment to rising above pressure echoed the message at the heart of OMO’s Stay Unbeatable message – that it isn’t about staying spotless, it’s about what happens after the fall.
We caught up with Fassi, Mapimpi and Kriel to reflect on five defining moments of 2025 that illustrate this mindset:
● Bouncing Back in Cape Town (23 Aug):
After a shock loss at the start of the Rugby Championship, the Boks rallied to a 30-22 home win over Australia. Jesse Kriel: “The setback stung, but it fired us up. One stumble doesn’t define you – what defines you is how you reply and go again.”
● Turning the Tide in Wellington (13 Sept):
Trailing 10-7 at half-time, South Africa exploded for a 43-10 win over the All Blacks—their biggest margin ever in Wellington. Aphelele Fassi: “We stayed calm, trusted each other and turned pressure into momentum. That’s being unbeatable.”
● Back-to-Back Champions (4 Oct):
The Boks clinched consecutive Rugby Championship titles with a 29-27 win over Argentina in London. Makazole Mapimpi: “We told ourselves to play on until the final whistle. Even when it got tight, belief pulled us through.”
● Siya Kolisi’s 100th Cap & Rassie Erasmus’s 50th Test (8 Nov)
Veteran leader Siya Kolisi earned his 100th test, while coach Erasmus reached his 50th as head of the side – milestones rooted in persistence. Jesse Kriel: “Seeing Siya and Rassie hit big milestones reminded us that our leaders set the tone. They show up and put in the work, so we stay at our best.”
● The Next Generation Steps Up
Young stars like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Canan Moodie and Evan Roos broke through, proving the jersey demands renewal. Makazole Mapimpi: “The hunger from these guys is contagious. They push us too – every week you’ve got to earn it.”
“The Springboks’ journey this year mirrors the essence of OMO’s Stay Unbeatable message – champions aren’t made in clean jerseys. They’re made in sweat, in struggle, and in the stains of the game.” says Ana Maria Panait, Laundry Portfolio Manager: Unilever Southern Africa. “Across every match of this European Tour – from the powerful win over Japan to the grit shown in France and the excitement building for Italy – the Springboks remind South Africans that the real prize isn’t in perfection, it’s in persistence. That’s the mindset that OMO celebrates through our partnership with SA Rugby.”
With the European Tour still in full swing (Italy 15 Nov, Ireland 22 Nov, Wales 29 Nov), the Boks’ message remains clear: winning is one thing – but staying unbeatable means, you keep showing up when things get real. Through the OMO partnership, this collective spirit resonates with everyday South Africans: if you rise after a fall, you’re already a champion. Play On.
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