VIDEO: Siya Kolisi v Ardie Savea – the one World Rugby Player of the Year and the other one of the most enigmatic captains the sport has ever witnessed.
On Saturday the two loose forwards will continue their rivalry on the pitch when the Springboks host the All Blacks at Ellis Park in the Rugby Championship.
Kolisi joined Richie McCaw as the only two-time men’s World Cup-winning captain but his impact stretches far beyond the field.
The boy who grew up in extreme poverty in an Eastern Cape township has become one of his country’s greatest players while serving as a role model for millions.
Kolisi is not just a leader on and off the field. Over the years, he has continued to evolve, becoming a rock in defence and a jackal threat at the breakdown.
Savea on the other hand capped off a brilliant 2023 season by being named the World Rugby Player of the Year.
The All Blacks superstar and No. 8 left a legacy behind at the Hurricanes when he decided to move to Japan.
The last time these two sporting giants faced each other was during the World Cup final at the Stade de France last year.
The All Blacks desperately wanted to win that final but, perhaps, the Springboks needed to and that made the difference.
At the World Rugby Awards in Paris, Savea and Kolisi were stopped for an interview with New Zealand’s 1News.
Kolisi described Savea as a “brother”, and moments later the Kiwi put his arm around the Bok captain.
In an exclusive interview with Jim Hamilton on RugbyPass TV’s Walk the Talk show, Savea was asked about his on-field battles with Bok enforcer Etzebeth and brought up Kolisi.
“I don’t even play rugby to hurt people. I just play because I love it,” said Savea.
“Eben is a beast. I’m a fan and we had a few moments against each other, but not intentionally.
“I always try to smash Siya because he is a good mate of mine. People always get weird because we’ve got a great relationship, but we represent two big rugby nations.
“It’s like boys – when you are best mates you want to smash that guy.
“I always try and smash Siya, but it’s not intentional with Eben. We just happen to be two players that go bloody hard.”
On Friday after the captain’s run at Ellis Park, Kolisi was asked about his bromance with Savea.
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“The feeling is mutual. It’s not hidden, we’re very good friends off the field, we get along really well and we keep in touch all the time,” Kolisi told reporters on Friday.
“We respect each other a lot and we respect each other, especially on the field. I want to make sure I give him everything I have on the field.
“I think that’s been the rivalry between us and New Zealand. Yes, on the field we give everything we can and after that, there’s mutual respect, after the game.
“Me and Ardie have just got closer and closer over the years. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been good mates.
“People always wonder, we’re both captains at one time and people think we want to go half-heartedly to each other. No, it’s never like that. I’ll gain his respect by giving him everything I can, he’ll gain mine by giving everything he can,” Kolisi said.
Meanwhile, Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick confirmed that Eben Etzebeth will not start against the All Blacks, saying the team management has put their faith in Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ruan Nortje.
“No, we won’t change Eben. He’s on the bench,” Stick told reporters after the Bok’s final training session on Friday morning.
“Listen, we’ve selected a strong team. If you look at a guy like Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ruan (Nortje), who’s actually now grabbing his opportunity with both hands. We were impressed with his performance against Australia, we know he’s got a massive work rate.
“To have guys like Eben and to look at the impact that we’ve looking for on the bench; guys like Kwagga (Smith). I think those are the guys that are needed for the impact, I think they should be able to bring that impact.
“We won’t make any changes. Pieter-Steph with Ruan, they will start the game for sure,” the coach explained.
