By Adnaan Mohamed
For Siya Kolisi, rugby wasn’t just a game, it was a way out. A lifeline. A field of hope that pulled him from the dusty streets of Zwide to the world’s grandest rugby stage.
Now, as the Springbok captain runs out for his 100th Test against France in Paris on Saturday night, his story stands as living proof of what sport can do for a young boy who could so easily have been lost to circumstance.
“I’m very proud and honoured, and I’m grateful to everyone who’s played a part in my life because I wouldn’t be here without my community,” Kolisi said ahead of his milestone.
“The foundation of who I am is from Zwide and the wider community. The people there parented me, and the teachers at school believed in me.”
Rugby as Redemption
Kolisi’s journey, from barefoot kid to Bok centurion, mirrors that of countless young South Africans who have found direction, purpose, and family through rugby. It’s a game that has replaced street corners with scrums and despair with discipline.
“Coach Rassie gave me my first contract,” Kolisi recalled.
“Then there was coach Heyneke (Meyer), Allister (Coetzee), Jacques (Nienaber), and all my club coaches. I’ve taken lessons from them all. They could have chased me away, but they backed me.”
That faith didn’t just build a player; it built a man.
“I carry all my teammates, from childhood to now, into each game, along with all the South Africans who expect so much from this team,” Kolisi said.
“Because they’ve seen what we’re capable of.”
A Game Bigger Than the Man
Kolisi’s 100th Test will be shared with his children, his community, and his country. But he’s quick to shift the focus from himself to the collective, to the game that gave him everything.
“It’s been a relaxed week,” he said.
“I’ve had my kids here and people who’ve supported me over the years, so that’s been special. But the team comes before the individual in our setup. If we do well as a team, the milestone will be special anyway.”
The match against France also marks Rassie Erasmus’s 50th as head coach — another figure who understands that rugby in South Africa isn’t merely about trophies. It’s about transformation, both personal and national.
Still Fighting for Every Inch
On Saturday, Kolisi will once again lead his team into battle, not just against a French side seeking revenge for last year’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss, but against the very odds he’s defied all his life.
“This game is like a knockout,” he said.
“We know how big it is for rankings and pride. But for us, it’s always about purpose, to represent our people, to make South Africans proud, and to keep building something that lasts.”
He knows the fight will be brutal.
“Games against France are always big because it’s two powerful packs facing one another,” Kolisi said.
“Physicality will be key; winning the gain line and the breakdowns. The team that uses their opportunities best will win.”
“Rugby Saved Me” and It Still Saves Others
For many young South Africans, Kolisi’s 100th cap is more than a personal achievement, it’s a symbol of hope. Proof that the sport can still be a bridge out of poverty, a classroom of character, and a safe haven from the dangers that lurk beyond the touchline.
Kolisi’s story isn’t just about how he reached 100 Tests, it’s about how rugby gave him 100 reasons to bel
And on Saturday night in Paris, as the Springbok skipper leads his team onto the field, every step he takes will echo with the footsteps of those boys still chasing the same dream, one pass, one tackle, one life at a time.