Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger and Joe van Niekerk have paid tribute to Siya Kolisi ahead of the Springbok captain’s 100th Test.
Kolisi will become the ninth Bok to reach the milestone when he runs out at the Stade de France on Saturday, and three of his former teammates spoke fondly about him on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast.
De Villiers said Kolisi’s inspirational rise had been matched only by his grounded nature.
“We were there [with him] from day one at [Western] Province and the Stormers, and then with the Boks.
“There’s that picture of Siya in his Grey High kit getting an autograph [from Burger] – and now he’s our hero. That’s the beauty of it.”
“What stands out is how normal he is to spend time with. No pedestal, no double persona – just straight down the line.”
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Burger and Van Niekerk highlighted the tough road to a century of caps in one of the most attritional position on the field.
“To get to 100 Tests takes longevity and fortitude – it doesn’t come for free,” said Burger, adding that the Boks had struck the right balance this week.
“Honour the milestone, but keep the focus on the job in Paris.”
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“Siya carries himself with humility – there’s a Mandela-type energy about him,” said Van Niekerk. “For a flanker to reach 100 is massive. He’s at the coalface, and his leadership filters through the whole group.”
With the tributes paid, attention turned to Saturday’s clash against France – a rematch of the famous 2023 World Cup quarter-final at the Stade de France, where the Boks edged the hosts 29-28.
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Burger doesn’t expect that level of chaos and theatre to be repeated, but believes the blueprint remains.
“That quarter-final in Paris was off the charts. I don’t think you can replicate that intensity – maybe not even this weekend,” he said. “For me, only the Boks could have won that game. The French start was immense, but our kicking game kept us in it and the transition try down the left was massive.
“This week the aerial battle is key. They’ve got a long kicking game through nine; we must win the contestables and work back hard. Physicality is a given – at least break even – and let the kicking game give us field position.”
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De Villiers expects France to lean into the “stolen World Cup” narrative.
“It’ll be electric in Paris – but that’s also perfect motivation for the Boks,” he said. “You can see how they’ll try to use the quarter-final emotion again; our job is to control the moments – kick smart, exit well and take points.”
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Van Niekerk said the Stade de France crowd would boost Les Bleus, but expressed concerns about French cohesion.
“The French are passionate – they’ll use any narrative for fuel. They’ll have relived that quarter-final all week. That stadium gives them a 16th man.
“But the last time they played together [as a first-choice team] was the Six Nations seven months ago. The Boks are battle-hardened.”
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Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
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