Siya Kolisi Reaches 100th Test As Springboks Gear Up For Epic France Showdown

When Siya Kolisi walks onto the field at the Stade de France on Saturday night, he’ll do so not just as the Springbok captainbut as a national hero marking his 100th Test in the green and gold. It’s a milestone dripping with pride and purpose, set against the backdrop of one of rugby’s fiercest modern rivalries: South Africa versus France.

Erasmus Loads Up For A Blockbuster In Paris

Rassie Erasmus has called on his heavy artillery for what promises to be a bruising battle in Paris. The coach has opted for experience and muscle, blending consistency with calculated tweaks.

Damian Willemse returns at fullback after regaining fitness, pushing Cheslin Kolbe back to the wing. The familiar centre pairing of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel remains intact, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues his halfback partnership with Cobus Reinach.

Up front, Boan Venter replaces the injured Ox Nche at loosehead prop. The power pairing of Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager will anchor the second row, while Pieter-Steph du Toit joins Kolisi and Jasper Wiese in a formidable back row. Malcolm Marx will start at hooker, giving the pack extra punch at scrum time.

On the bench, Erasmus has depth to burn, with RG Snyman, Andre Esterhuizen, and Manie Libbok ready to inject energy and creativity in the later stages.

A Century For The Captain

Kolisi’s 100th cap is more than a numberit’s a symbol of resilience, leadership, and the journey of a man who rose from the dusty fields of Zwide to lifting two Rugby World Cups. Erasmus paid tribute to his skipper’s milestone, describing it as a “huge moment for Siya and for South Africa.”

“This is a massive game, and we’ll celebrate Siya’s achievement after the final whistle,” said Erasmus. “But we also want to make it a match he’ll never forgetfor the right reasons.”

Fans have flooded social media with messages of pride and admiration, hailing Kolisi as “the heartbeat of South African rugby.” Hashtags like #Kolisi100 and #BokFriday have been trending ahead of the clash, reflecting how much this milestone means to the nation.

Revenge On French Minds

For France, this Test carries a different emotional weight. After being knocked out by South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, Les Bleus have revenge in their sights. The French media have framed this as their chance to reclaim pride at home, while Erasmus insists the Boks are treating it like any other Test.

“France play with incredible energy, especially with their home crowd behind them,” Erasmus noted. “We know what’s coming. The key will be accuracy, discipline, and taking our chances.”

The Road Ahead

The Springboks’ European tour has been a test of both depth and endurance. Their recent win over Japan helped shake off early-season rust, but facing France in Paris is a different kind of challengea cauldron of noise, emotion, and world-class opposition.

If South Africa can channel the emotion of Kolisi’s century into composure and precision, they could turn a special occasion into an unforgettable triumph.

As the captain leads his side out under the Paris lights, one thing is certain: whether win or lose, Siya Kolisi’s 100th Test will echo far beyond the final whistlea celebration of what it means to wear the Springbok jersey.

For more rugby news and updates follow: SA Rugby Mag

{Source:SABC Sport}

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