Kolisi Nears 100 Springbok Caps: A Historic Milestone For South African Rugby

Widely celebrated Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has admitted he never in his wildest dreams imagined playing 100 Tests for the national team. As he closes in on the century mark, Kolisi said the achievement would be significant for his community.

Kolisi will earn his 96th cap when the Springboks host Argentina (Los Pumas) in a crucial Rugby Championship match at Kings Park Stadium this Saturday [17:10].

Kolisi to Join Exclusive Club

The flanker, who has also played at number eight this season, is set to become the ninth player in Springbok history to reach the prestigious 100-cap milestone later this year, provided he remains fit and available during the Autumn Nations Series.

Veteran fullback Willie le Roux was the most recent player to join the club, earning his 100th cap against Italy in July at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, following lock Eben Etzebeth who achieved the feat last year.

The other Springboks who have surpassed 100 Test caps include Bryan Habana, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Percy Montgomery, and Jean de Villiers. Remarkably, every member of this exclusive club has won a Rugby World Cup with the Springboks.

Kolisi’s centurion Test will be particularly historic as he will become only the second black African player to reach the milestone after Mtawarira. The event promises to be a massive celebration, honoring a captain who has led the Springboks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles, a British and Irish Lions Series victory, and two Rugby Championship titles.

Kolisi made his Springbok debut against Scotland on 15 June 2013, at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Kolisi on the Milestone: “I Have No Words”

Kolisi candidly shared his feelings about the impending achievement, which could potentially happen against Italy on 15 November in Europe:

“Of course, I have thought about it,” Kolisi replied to Sportswire.

“But I don’t know what to say, honestly, I don’t know what to say. I have no words that I’m even here in this moment.”

He explained that the achievement was never a career goal: “When I was younger, I never dreamt of it. Even as I was playing, there was no time in my career when I said, ‘I want to play 100 games for the Springbok’.”

He continued, “To be in this position, to be so close, I haven’t thought about it, and I can’t answer the question. I’m looking forward to this weekend. If I do get there [100 caps], maybe I will have the words to express it.”

Kolisi reflected on his journey and the legacy he shares with his teammates:

“I used to be the water boy, and coach Rassie [Erasmus] brought me through from school. Eben [Etzebeth] and I started when we were 18 years old. Frans Malherbe is unfortunately injured now, Damian [de Allende] started when we were 18, and Handré [Pollard]—all of us, we kind of started at the same time. To see everyone grow is amazing. It’s been special to be part of this group and these players.”

He concluded by praising the management’s focus on the future:

“It has been a great journey, and I think the older I’m getting, the hungrier I get because I see the guys that are coming in and see how good they are. You know, if you stop one day, you know that South African rugby will be in good hands.

“Coach Rassie hasn’t just been thinking current state… he still keeps on wanting to win, transform the team, but create squad depth at the same time. It has been an amazing ride, but I never thought much about it. But it will be a big moment for me, my family, and my community as well. So, I’m looking forward to it.”