Two Weeks, Two Reds, One Relentless Springbok Spirit

By Adnaan Mohamed

For the second week in a row, the Springboks walked into a northern-hemisphere storm and refused to be blown over.

Another early red card, another No 5 lock gone, yet the world champions simply bent, adjusted and found a new way to win, beating Italy 32–14 in Turin with the kind of grit that can only be forged in chaos.

Franco Mostert’s 12th-minute red card echoed Lood de Jager’s fate against France a week earlier. Same number on the jersey. Same sinking moment. Same response: the Boks shifted shape like a scrum rearranging itself in a gale, and played as though the missing man had simply been absorbed into their collective heartbeat.

Captain Siya Kolisi said the team has learned to solve problems while sprinting.

“We went through it last weekend, and this week we went through the same thing. So, we make plans in the game as we go along because such things happen,” he said.

“The biggest thing that we were asked this week is to show our ‘Africanness’ and that’s about making plans because there are always stumbles… They (the coaches) are always prepared for any scenario, and even the guys who are not playing sit and make plans and decisions.”

Kolisi admitted the emotional sting was real:

“It doesn’t make it easy for us… seeing a guy like Franco sitting there, we could see the hurt in his eyes. But I really love the way this team is able to stand up and fight.”

Rassie Erasmus, visibly exasperated, didn’t hide his frustration.

“It is what it is. What I say can’t make a difference,” he said. “It’s sad that our captain had to make that sacrifice twice in a week.”

The Bok coach questioned how much lower a two-metre lock can physically tackle.

“Losing two locks in two games now for going lower than they can go… it’s tough to understand,” Erasmus said. “We don’t know how to coach guys to go lower, especially when someone is on his knees.”

Yet amid the frustration, he applauded his team’s ability to morph on demand.

“Yes, we have a way to adapt,” he said. “That certainly makes us tighter as a team… I’m happy with the result, but still sad for the players who have to take the brunt for something that happened by accident.”

Three wins from three, two red cards navigated, and a squad that keeps inventing new ways to survive the storm. The Boks now head to Ireland, hardened once more by fire and fallout.

Featured Photo: Andre Esterhuizen/ https://x.com/springboks

Source: SA Rugby

Springboks Brace for Brutal Torino Clash With Resurgent Italy

Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has warned that Italy are no side to stroll past, likening Saturday’s showdown in Torino to a scrum where one wrong step can send you skidding backwards.

The Boks face the Azzurri at Allianz Stadium at 14:40 (SA time), live on SuperSport. And Stick made it clear the visitors aren’t treating this as a gentle warm-up jog.

“It’s a tough week because we are facing a team that comes off a good game against Australia,” said Stick.

“A few other players are getting an opportunity to play, and that motivates us immensely.”

Stick said the squad’s hunger runs deeper than selection rotation:

“The players have been working very hard and waiting for their opportunity, such as Handré (Pollard) and Canan (Moodie), among others.

“For us, whoever gets a chance to represent the country, it’s not just about playing for yourself, but close to 60 million South Africans at home. This Test is a massive game for us.”

He also brushed aside whispers that the matchday group lacked bite.

“There’s no such thing as a trial match when it comes to the Springboks,” Stick insisted.

“We need to respect the players who are receiving an opportunity to play. We all know Italy are in a good space as a team, and improving week in and week out.

“In Pretoria, they posed big challenges in the second half, so they are a side you can never underestimate. That said, we’ll be prepared, and the players are excited and looking forward to the match.”

Kolisi: Breakdown will be the battleground

Captain Siya Kolisi who is set to notch his 101st Test cap, expects the breakdown to be the heart of the contest, the place “where matches are won and lost like turnovers at a street fight.”

“It’s been one of the big areas we looked at this week, just as we did when we played against them in South Africa,” said Kolisi.

“We struggled in the first match against them back home, and that was one of the main reasons we had to work so hard to win that match.

“We know how good they are there, so we’ve worked hard this week to ensure we look after the ball properly. The pack will be important this weekend. We know what we have to do, and we have to make sure we are up for it.”

Kolisi dismissed concerns about cohesion within the fresh-faced forward unit:

“We’ve done the work on the field during the week, and that’s where we get to know one another. The coaches have been crucial in that regard. The senior guys obviously need to lead by example, but we feel good as a group in general.”

Van Staden’s hooker switch “a long-term project”

With Marco van Staden named as the reserve hooker, Stick revealed this is no spur-of-the-moment gamble.

“It was always the plan for him to be a backup hooker in the squad,” said Stick.

“At the 2023 World Cup, he was always training and working on extra skills in that position to ensure he was ready when the opportunity arose. So, it’s a project we’ve been working on for the last few years.

“He’s a tough guy who always plays with his heart on his sleeve, and he’s a breakdown specialist, which will be valuable against a side like Italy. It’s great that we can move him to hooker later in the game.”

Italian backline “will punish you” if given space

Stick also flagged Italy’s dangerous midfield and backline, a unit he describes as sharp enough to slice through any defensive line that drifts for even a moment.

“If you look at the Italian centres, they are probably one of the best centre partnerships in the country at the moment, and they have great players all around at the back,” he said. “They are also playing really well, so it’s going to be a tough game with ball in hand.

“If you give the Italian players time and space, their backline players will punish you.”

Teams:

Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Ross Vintcent, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiase, 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Kick-off: 13.40 (14.40 SAST; 12.40 GMT)
Expected weather: There will be some drizzle and light winds with a temperature around 14°C
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Jérémy Rozier (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)

SOURCE: SA RUGBY

‘You’re my friend and my idol’: Jürgen Klopp hails Siya Kolisi on 100-Test milestone

By Adnaan Mohamed

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has sent a heartfelt message to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, congratulating him on reaching an incredible milestone of 100 Test matches for South Africa.

Despite having to play with 14 men for the entire second half after lock forward Lood de Jager was controversially red-carded, Kolisi’s Bok side produced an inspiring performance to earn a crushing 32-17 win over France .

In a special video message shared on his Instagram account, Klopp spoke with deep admiration about Kolisi’s journey from humble beginnings in Zwide to becoming a two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain.

Siya, my friend, another milestone in one of the most incredible sports careers I’ve ever heard of,” Klopp said.
The things I love in life the most are stories about people who made their way. Obviously, the most inspiring stories are the stories where the start was at a time when nobody could even imagine that a positive future was possible, and I think that’s your story.

Kolisi, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2019 and again in 2023, became only the seventh South African to play 100 Tests for his country when he captained the Boks against New Zealand earlier this year.

A lifelong Liverpool fan, Kolisi has often spoken of his admiration for Klopp — and the German coach clearly feels the same.

Calling you my friend is one of the biggest honours I can imagine,” Klopp added.
Having an idol in a sport I don’t understand at all is pretty special as well.

Congratulations. One hundred, isn’t it crazy? And the best is still to come. Much love from Germany. See you.

Klopp’s message struck a chord with South Africans and Liverpool fans alike, as two of sport’s most respected leaders shared a moment of mutual respect, proof that inspiration knows no boundaries.

Red Card, Green Heart: Springboks Turn Adversity into Glory in Paris

By Adnaan Mohamed

On the night Siya Kolisi reached his century of Tests, the Springbok captain reminded the rugby world that leadership isn’t only about charging into tackles, but sometimes it’s about stepping back for the team.

Up against a fired-up French side, a cauldron of 80,000 roaring fans at Stade de France, and a hotly debated red card to lock Lood de Jager, the world champions could easily have cracked.

Instead, they dug deep, showing the kind of grit that has become as familiar to South Africans as the green and gold itself.

The Boks turned pressure into purpose, clawing their way to a 32–17 win that felt more like a statement than a scoreline.

When halftime arrived, the coaches faced a brutal call that resulted in Kolisi’s 100th Test ending early. The team needed to reshuffle, and the captain had to make way for tactical balance. His response was pure Siya.

“To take our captain off in his 100th match because we had to put Andre [Esterhuizen] on to play loose forward and centre, depending on whether we had a scrum or a line-out, was a tough call,” said coach Rassie Erasmus.

“But when we said it to him, he just took it on the chin and understood. Same with Damian de Allende, who was playing really well, but we had to sub him so Andre could play both in the scrums and the backline.”

Kolisi’s calm acceptance rippled through the team like a silent war cry.

“The impact Siya made from the bench was when the whole team saw the moment he was told he wasn’t going to play the second half, and he said he totally understands,” Erasmus added.

“That impact is enough. Then the other players say, ‘Our captain, who has played 100 games, is willing not to go in the second half for the team to win.’ That impact is enough.”

It was a reminder that Kolisi doesn’t just wear the armband, he embodies the Springbok creed: team before self, always.

Erasmus also tipped his hat to the brains trust behind the victory, the Bok assistant coaches who helped rewrite the game plan on the fly.

“The bench had a good impact, but it’s the plans the coaches made at half-time that made it easier for the guys that went on,” he said.

“The defence coach, attack coach, Duane [Vermeulen] with the breakdowns, Deon [Davids] with the line-outs, Daan [Human] the scrums, and Tony [Brown] the attack.

“I take very little credit. This bunch of players and a lot of people said they are getting old, they are wiser and calmer under pressure.”

Even with the crowd roaring like a Parisian thunderstorm, the Boks never lost their composure.

“Playing here, and the French can be so proud of their supporters, but for us it was intimidating,” Erasmus admitted.

“But luckily, we’ve been through this before in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. The experience showed at half-time, making plans, staying calm, sacrificing for the team.”

Kolisi may have played only 40 minutes, but his presence was felt for all 80. From the moment he stepped off the field, he became the team’s heartbeat on the sideline, steady, selfless, and still leading every ruck and run from afar.

His 100th Test wasn’t only about glory. It was about grace, the kind that wins not just games, but hearts.

Source: SA Rugby

Rassie’s Secret Weapon: The Clip That Lit the Fire in the Bok Camp

By Adnaan Mohamed

This week, in the quiet hum of Springbok camp before the thunder of the tackling France at the Stade de France in Paris, Rassie Erasmus pressed play on a short video, and silence fell.

The clip came from Hamediehs Rugby Football Club (RFC), a 130-year-old Cape Flats institution that’s been a lifeline for generations of kids dodging the dangers of the streets. In it, a 13-year-old boy battles the daily storms of township life, poverty, violence, temptation, until he finds his refuge on the rugby field.

It’s not just a club. It’s an ark in a flood.

Featuring former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, who mentors at Hamediehs, the video’s message “Rugby Saved Us” struck a chord deep within the Boks.

Erasmus, marking his 50th Test in charge, knew the story would speak louder than any team talk. When he showed it, the room grew still. Every player saw a reflection of their own journey.

“Salaam! (Peace), yes, that video is special for so many reasons,” said Siya Kolisi, preparing for his 100th Test as captain.

“In that clip we saw what club rugby does for kids in the community.”

Then his voice slowed, his words carrying the weight of lived truth.

“Rugby is more than just a sport to us. People say that, but for us, it saved us. It kept us from so many things we were never supposed to be exposed to as children.”

Kolisi knows the boy’s pain because he once was that boy, the kid from Zwide who found light in a muddy field, who rose from hunger to hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 and again in 2023.

“To see that clip and know kids are still going through that, it hits deep,” he said.

“I’ve been given a platform, and it’s our duty to make sure we create a better tomorrow for those kids — to make it safer, to give them choices. That’s what rugby has done for me.”

For Kolisi, this 100th cap isn’t about records or medals. It’s about meaning.

“It’s not just about the trophies,” he said. “The trophies give us a platform to give back. This game isn’t about me, it’s for those kids at Hamediehs, for every boy and girl whose lives are changed by rugby.”

Erasmus, ever the innovator, often reminds his team that victory isn’t just on the scoreboard.

“Coach Rassie speaks about it all the time,” Kolisi added. “It’s not just about winning or losing. Our drive goes deeper. Rugby doesn’t just change lives for 80 minutes; it saves them from the things that can take their lives away.”

So when Kolisi leads the Boks onto the Stade de France turf on Saturday night, that Hamediehs boy, and every child who’s found safety in rugby’s embrace, will run beside him.

Because for Kolisi and the millions who see themselves in his story, rugby isn’t just a game.

It’s hope.
It’s family.
It’s the hand that pulls you from the storm.

Watch the video: Rugby Saved Us

https://www.theathlete.co.za/2025/11/04/peter-de-villiers-id-trade-the-bok-job-for-this-hamediehs-rfcs-heartbeat-of-hope

Related story:

https://www.theathlete.co.za/2023/10/08/watch-siya-kolisi-congratulate-hamediehs-in-a-special-selfie-video

Source: SA Rugby

Teams:

France: 15 Tomas Ramos, 14 Damien Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann le Garrec, 8 Mickaël Guillard, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Régis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Baptiste Erdocio.
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortère

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21.10 (22.10 SAST; 20.10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) & Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

How Rugby Saved Siya Kolisi and Continues to Save a Nation

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.

Source: SA Rugby

Siya Hits 100. Rassie Reloads. Paris Waits.

By Adnaan Mohamed

Siya Kolisi is about to make history – again. On Saturday night in Paris, the Bok skipper plays his 100th Test for the Springboks, marching out under the lights like a general who’s fought every battle and still wants one more.

And fittingly, the man pulling the strings, Rassie Erasmus, hits his own half-century as Bok boss. Two rugby masterminds, one glittering stage, and a French crowd ready to make noise until sunrise.

New Faces, Same Fire

Rassie’s tinkering hands are back at work. Six changes.

  • Boan Venter in for the injured Ox Nche.
  • Thomas du Toit tightens the screws at prop.
  • Eben Etzebeth partners Lood de Jager in the engine room – pure granite.
  • Pieter-Steph du Toit returns to roam the flanks.
  • Damian Willemse starts at fullback; Cheslin Kolbe shifts back to his natural wing.
  • RG Snyman goes to the bench, resting his fire for later.

Behind them, it’s a mix of flair and fight with Cobus Reinach and young Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to run the show at halfback, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel holding the midfield fort.

Kolisi leads the bruising loose trio again. It’s the same combo that traded blows with France in Marseille two years ago.

‘The Right Team for the Right Fight’

“This is the team best suited to what we expect from France,”
says Erasmus.

“They’ve been there, felt the heat, and know what’s coming from that passionate French crowd.”

And on Siya’s milestone?

“It’s massive. We’re all proud of him. He’ll stay focused on the job, but if we get it right, it’ll be a night to remember.”

Paris Will Burn (Rugby-Wise)

Les Bleus want payback for last year’s World Cup heartbreak. The French press has been singing revenge songs all week. The Boks? Calm. Cold. Calculated.

“France have class all over the park and a crowd that won’t stop,” says Erasmus.
“We have to be sharp, take our chances, and fight from first whistle to last. It’ll be brutal — and beautiful.”

Kick-off: 22:10 (SA Time)
Live on SuperSport Grandstand & Rugby channels.

Kolisi 100 — By the Numbers

Debut 2013 vs Scotland
Tests as Captain 72
World Cups 2
Total Tries 14
Coach Rassie Tests 50
Previous Centurions 8

Boks vs France — Quick Stats
  • Tests: 46
  • SA Wins: 28
  • France Wins: 12
  • Draws: 6
  • Last Meeting: SA 29–28 France (RWC 2023 QF)

Modern Take

Kolisi’s 100th test match is not only a remarkable milestone, but it’s a story of a kid from Zwide who against all odds turned grit into gold. Now, one more dance in Paris, and maybe, one more chapter for the legend.

Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled powerhouse prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Twickenham in London.

Nche, a late withdrawal in Durban last week, returns to the front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit. Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel and Bongi Mbonambi are back on the bench in the only other changes to the match-day 23.

“This match is a Final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be, so we selected combinations we feel will be best suited for this game,” said Rassie.

“There are minimal personnel changes, with the bulk of the team having done the job for us last week against the Pumas in Durban and our other Rugby Championship matches.

“Ox and Grant could have played last week if we really needed them, but Boan (Venter) and Morne (van den Berg) did really well, while Jesse was rotated in the last two matches and is raring to go.

The same applies to Bongi, who last played against Australia, and who is excited for this opportunity.

“Their experience, combined with the younger players in the team, makes this an exciting squad, which is exactly what we need in a match that will essentially be the Rugby Championship decider.”

Eben Etzebeth wins his 138th cap in the second row, while Siya Kolisi will lead the side in his 98th Test.

The rest of the starting XV is unchanged, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu again at halfback and Damian Willemse at fullback.

Erasmus warned of a backlash from the Pumas:

“They may be out of the title race, but they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British & Irish Lions this season. It’s going to be another hard grind.”

The Boks will know exactly what result is needed after Australia face New Zealand earlier in the day.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel.

Source: SA Rugby