History was made once more when Hollywoodbets Sharks loose forward and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi joined an elite group of players who have represented their countries on 100 special occasions when he led his side to a 32-17 victory over France in Paris on Saturday.
Much was made of the French outcry when they were denied in 2023, hosting the Rugby World Cup but losing by a solitary point in the quarter-finals – 29-28 to the eventual winners, the Springboks under Kolisi – and the talk of revenge and putting matters right was a promise Les Bleus failed to deliver in 2025.
Kolisi’s Springboks became expert at one-point wins two years ago enroute to glory, defeating England 16-15 in the semi-final and the All Blacks 12-11 in the final to secure the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time, and the second for South Africa’s latest centurion, making him arguably one of the greatest rugby captains in history and an iconic figure in the sport.
From humble beginnings, Kolisi has risen to the upper echelons of the sport as a true ambassador of the game, a man highly-respected by peers and opponents alike for his professionalism, sporting prowess and leadership.
“I can literally write a book about our lives together and one of the chapters would have been called Siya’s 100th in Paris,” Eben Etzebeth wrote in tribute to his captain and dear friend.
“God put you on this earth to headline chapters and that’s what you are doing. Once in a generation a person like yourself is born to give hope to millions and inspire millions, I’m so grateful to call myself one of your best friends and to be a part of this chapter happening on Saturday 8 November 2025 at 21:00. You are such an inspiration to millions of people out there for the person you are and the things you do, but for me you are also an inspiration but in a whole different way.
“You inspire me to realize that it doesn’t matter what life throws at you, you always run into the storm no matter how daunting it looks, you’ve been running at storms since you were small my brother. You also inspire me on the field by the way you play and how you always give everything for the Green & Gold, never giving up and inspiring your teammates by your actions. We’ve become actual brothers, sometimes we don’t agree, very few times we’ve had an argument but the bond and love we have for each other is unbreakable. I’m right next to you this weekend.
“I love you brother!”
On the eve of the test match, Kolisi spoke of this personal milestone.
“It is special and a huge honour to be the ninth person to achieve 100 test caps for the Springboks and friends and family have celebrated with me,” he said. “There are also those who are no longer with us, people who have given so much for me to be where I am, I’m so grateful to them for this opportunity, one I was able to take with both hands.
“I’m grateful to all the people who have had an impact on my life, from my grandmother to my aunt, my mom and dad who helped me, to the coaches I played under.”
He also paid tribute to the club rugby structures and their contribution to society, particularly in the less affluent parts of the country where sport has the power to pull people out of poverty and societal ills.
“I saw a video of children in South Africa and what rugby means to them, the environment that I grew up in, to see that rugby is actually saving lives.
“I say thank you to all the coaches and people who put their lives in danger to make sure that there are safe places for children.
“So this is not about me, but all the people who came from the same environment as I did, and for those who created opportunities for other people and to see that their hard work does pay off.”
Stand tall Siya Kolisi.
Your country appreciates everything you have done as a sporting icon and celebrates your achievements with you.
