Kolisi to earn 100th cap as Springboks face France in a highly anticipated clash

By Canadian Press on November 6, 2025.

PARIS (AP) — Siya Kolisi will become the ninth Springbok to play 100 tests when he leads South Africa against France on Saturday.

Kolisi made his debut in 2013 against Scotland, became the first Black captain of the Springboks in 2018 and has led them to the last two Rugby World Cup titles.

“We are all delighted for him,” coach Rassie Erasmus said on Thursday. “He is a level-headed player and although this will be a big occasion for him, and a match that we would like to make special for him, he is fully focused on the task at hand so he won’t allow that to overshadow what he must do on the field.

“This is a huge game and the entire team knows how determined France will be to make up for the World Cup result, so we’ll celebrate Siya’s achievement after the match. That said, hopefully we can make it a memorable game for him.”

The Springboks and Tricolores are meeting for the first time since 2023 when South Africa knocked out the World Cup hosts 29-28 in an epic quarterfinal.

Eleven Springboks from that matchday 23, including Kolisi, return to the Stade de France.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

The Associated Press