On the night Siya Kolisi earned his 100th Test cap, the Springbok captain showed that true leadership doesn’t always come from the middle of the field, sometimes it shines brightest from the sideline.
Up against a furious French outfit hungry for revenge, a roaring Stade de France crowd, and a contentious red card to lock Lood de Jager, the world champions refused to buckle.
Instead, they turned the setback into fuel, grinding out a 32–17 victory with all the grit, guile, and heart that define South African rugby.
Highlights: Relive the action from the #Springboks' 32-17 win in Paris last night – click here: https://t.co/859oPPoGCJ 📺#ForeverGreenForeverGold
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When the halftime whistle blew, the Boks were forced into a seismic call, their centurion skipper would not return for the second half. Yet Kolisi, ever the team man, took it with the grace of a veteran who understands that the green and gold jersey is bigger than any milestone.
“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,” coach Rassie Erasmus said after the match.
“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 cover both in the scrums and the backline.”
It was a decision made for survival, tactical rugby chess at its finest. And from the bench, Kolisi led with quiet strength, his acceptance becoming a rallying cry for his teammates.
“The impact Siya made from the bench was when the whole team saw the moment he was told that he wasn’t going to play the second half, and he said he totally understands,” Erasmus revealed.
“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.”
Erasmus praised his lieutenants for their halftime adjustments and the collective calm under pressure that saw the Boks outthink and outfight the hosts.
“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] the line-outs, Daan [Human] the scrums, and Tony [Brown] the attack, we had to make plans.
“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 the intimidating wall of noise inside the Stade de France couldn’t shake the visitors’ poise.
“Playing here and the French can be so proud of their supporters – 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 composed, sacrificing for the team.”
In the end, Kolisi’s century wasn’t about personal glory. It was about embodiment, of selflessness, of unity, and of the indomitable Springbok spirit that turns even red cards into green-and-gold triumphs.
The scoreboard will say South Africa 32, France 17. But the real victory was written in how a captain led, not by playing, but by letting go.
Scorers:
France 17 (14) – Tries: Damian Penaud (2). Conversions: Thomas Ramos (2). Penalty goal: Ramos.
Springboks 32 (13) – Tries: Cobus Reinach, Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3). Penalty goals: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2).
