From Vinícius Júnior to Marcus Smith to Ellis Genge to Cheslin Kolbe, all have congratulated Siya Kolisi as he prepares to make his 100th Test cap for the Springboks when they take on France at the Stade de France.
Siya Kolisi said he was thrilled about becoming the ninth player in Springbok history to earn 100 Test caps, and while the Bok captain thanked all the role players in his journey to get him to this point, he said a good performance by the team would make it a memorable occasion for him.
Siya Kolisi will become the ninth Springbok centurion when he leads South Africa out against France at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, with Bok coach Rassie Erasmus – who will guide the side in his 50th Test as head coach – making six personnel changes to the side that defeated Japan last week.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said it would be a massive mistake to underestimate Japan going into their opening clash in the November Internationals at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, and stressed the importance of delivering on their own standards to start their five-match tour on a positive note.
All eyes will be on the Springboks as they gear up for their Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against the Pumas, with several key players expected to make a big impact.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi billed their penultimate Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against the Pumas in Durban on Saturday as a “semi-final” and said they would treat the visitors with the “respect” they deserve going into the crucial encounter.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi admitted on Friday that they had learned many lessons from last weekend’s 24-17 defeat against New Zealand in Auckland as they gear up for Saturday’s Test against their archrivals in Wellington, with Stick saying they have to be at their best for the full 80 minutes.
Captains Jesse Kriel and Siya Kolisi honoured All Black star Ardie Savea with a gift after he made his 100th Test appearance against the Springboks.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up experienced Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi to the squad ahead of their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday, as captain Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse were released due to injury.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said their Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday would be their toughest Test so far this season, but they were confident the team were at the level they needed to be going into the encounter.