Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is about to become a family affair, with the Sititi siblings poised to write a fresh chapter in the storied South Africa-New Zealand rivalry at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Wallace Sititi and his 19-year-old sister Amarante will pull on the famous black jersey on the same day, with Wallace facing the Springboks and Amarante lining up against the Springbok Women.
It is a rare piece of rugby history. The last time siblings represented the All Blacks and Black Ferns against South African opposition on the same day was 28 years ago, when Annaleah and Xavier Rush achieved the feat in 1998.
Both Sititis will wear No 20.
For the Sititi family, though, this is bigger than a statistical footnote. Their rugby journey has its roots in Samoa, with their father Semo Sititi, a former Manu Samoa captain, watching proudly from the stands.
“It’s extremely special; it’s special just being in this All Blacks team, and to have my little sister next to me is extra special,” Wallace said at an Adidas and Atlas Foundation community event.
“The old man [father] landed last night [Thursday], so he’ll be pretty happy and excited.
“I have to mention our family back in Samoa; they prayed for us, their prayers are the ones that got us here.”
Amarante’s rise has been rapid. The versatile lock and loose forward made her Black Ferns debut last month against Australia in Auckland, coming off the bench to score in a 62-19 victory.
Having graduated from Auckland Girls’ Grammar School in 2025, she has already been touted as one of New Zealand rugby’s next big talents.
“Representing this country is a privilege, but doing it alongside my brother is something special,” she said.
“It’s something I will always hold dear to my heart.
“I don’t think I’ve told him yet, but he’s a big inspiration for me, just like my dad.”
Wallace remembers the moment the dream became a serious ambition.
“She played a lot of sports growing up.
“In her last two years of school, she really took it seriously, and I remember vividly a conversation we had one day after I picked her up from school. She said she wants to do this professionally.
“She has worked pretty hard, and I’m extremely proud of her.”
Their father’s advice to Amarante has been beautifully uncomplicated: play her game, be herself and ignore the outside noise.
“He said just to play my game and be myself; I think that’s his advice for me in every game. He wants me to be myself and not get pressured by any outside noise.”
For Wallace, Saturday carries a sharper competitive edge.
His last meeting with the Springboks ended in a 43-10 mauling in Wellington in 2025, a result that still burns beneath the surface.
“Whenever I’m out there, there’s always a point to prove.
“The way we play rugby, we have a chip on our shoulders, and we go out there, and we have some fun and try to have an impact on the game.
“That’s always the mindset, and hopefully it will be a better night out than what we saw in Wellington.”
At FNB Stadium, family pride will meet rugby’s oldest fire.
The Sititis have their own piece of history to chase. Wallace also has a score to settle.
And with the Springboks waiting across the halfway line, Saturday promises to be one family reunion where nobody will be bringing a peace offering.
