A look into Siya Kolisi's journey following 100 tests with Springboks
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Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 11.11.25. | 15:16
There is a case to be made for Kolisi as the greatest Bok captain of all time, the greatest loose forward, and certainly one of the greatest players
On Saturday, 8 November, the noise inside the Stade de France was deafening as Siya Kolisi walked out, leading the Springboks for his 100th test match.
In that moment, the boy from Zwide had made history once again.
Even for someone watching from a screen thousands of miles away in Kenya, it was hard to believe that the same man lifting World Cups and leading champions was once a skinny kid from a dusty township, kicking around an old soccer ball and dreaming of street food as prizes.
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The debate of eras
Fans often debate who would make the ultimate Springbok dream team, pitting 2009 legends like Schalk Burger and Juan Smith against modern heroes like Pieter-Steph du Toit and Duane Vermeulen.
But when you look at consistency, leadership, trophies, and big match performances, one name stands out: Siya Kolisi.
There is a case to be made for Kolisi as the greatest Bok captain of all time, the greatest loose forward, and certainly one of the greatest players. As one fan rightfully said, “Siya Kolisi is not the captain of the Springboks. He is the captain of Africa.”
Kolisi became the ninth South African to win 100 test caps, joining Percy Montgomery, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Beast Mtawarira, Eben Etzebeth, and Willie le Roux in an elite club.
While he has been in the system for 12 years, it is only in the last eight, since the arrival of coaches Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, that he has realised his potential as a player and a leader.
Three days after his 100th test, Mozzart Sport reflects on the impact Kolisi has had on South Africa, both on and off the field.
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The kid from Zwide
Kolisi grew up in Zwide, a township near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. Life was not easy. His grandmother, Nolulamile, raised him and often went hungry so he could eat. When she passed away in his arms at 12, he was heartbroken and close to losing his way.
Drugs, crime, and petrol sniffing were all around him, but rugby saved him.
At the African Bombers club, a tough coach named Eric Songwiqi took him in. After his first training session, full of tackles, bruises, and exhaustion, Kolisi walked home a changed man. From that day, he stayed off drugs and focused on rugby.
A scholarship to Grey High School changed everything. One day, he saw the Springboks training there. His hero, Schalk Burger, was among them. Too shy to ask for an autograph, a teacher pushed him forward.
That signature still means the world to him, especially since years later, he and Burger became teammates.
Rising through the ranks
Kolisi joined Western Province in 2010 and made his Springbok debut in 2013 against Scotland. Six years later, he made history as the first black captain of the Boks, a huge moment for a country still dealing with the scars of apartheid.
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Kolisi did not just wear the armband; he redefined what leadership meant. Humble, honest, and strong, he led by example on and off the pitch.
Leading a golden era
The results speak for themselves. Under Kolisi and coach Rassie Erasmus, the Springboks have enjoyed one of their greatest periods ever:
2019 – World Cup champions in Japan, after beating England in the final.
2021 – Series win against the British & Irish Lions.
2023 – Another World Cup, beating New Zealand by a single point.
Three Rugby Championships – in 2019, 2024, and 2025.
South Africa have played 88 tests since 2018 and won 72% of them, with Kolisi featuring in almost all the big games. In fact, he has been part of 28 of the 30 most important wins of the past eight years.
While the Boks’ golden era has been built on a core of senior players such as Etzebeth, Du Toit, and Damian de Allende, Kolisi’s consistency and influence have remained unmatched.
Even a serious knee injury in 2023 could not dim his flame. He returned stronger, leading the Boks to yet another World Cup triumph.
More than a captain
Kolisi’s story is not just about rugby. After winning the 2019 World Cup, he started the Kolisi Foundation, which focuses on helping families in need and fighting gender-based violence.
Through the foundation, he has met global icons like Jürgen Klopp and Roger Federer, all while using his platform to create change back home.
In a world where many athletes fade after fame, Kolisi has become something much bigger.
Looking ahead
After joining Racing 92 in France, many thought Kolisi would retire from international rugby. But in true Siya fashion, he changed his mind, returning for another chapter with the Boks.
As Erasmus begins to prepare for the 2027 World Cup, new faces will rise, but Kolisi’s influence will remain. He was the right leader when South Africa needed unity, and even now, as he celebrates 100 tests, he continues to inspire the next generation.
