Siya Kolisi once again underlined his importance to the Springboks as South Africa edged New Zealand 29-24 at FNB Stadium to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
The veteran captain produced another determined performance as the Springboks secured a crucial victory in front of a packed home crowd.
The win was Kolisi’s 55th Test victory as Springbok captain, further cementing his place among the most influential leaders in South African rugby.
While his leadership remains central to the team, his impact extends beyond the captaincy. Kolisi formed part of an experienced forward pack alongside Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit, providing the physicality and composure South Africa needed when the contest tightened.
The victory also highlighted the growing depth within the Springboks. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel continued to make their mark, while youngsters including Ethan Hooker, Jasper Wiese and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu showed they can increasingly complement the team’s established stars.
South Africa had bounced back from a 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park with a 33-26 win in Cape Town before Saturday’s victory, giving them the upper hand in the series.
The result was also another reminder of the Springboks’ remarkable record against their biggest rivals, marking their seventh win in their last nine Tests against the All Blacks.
With the series now in South Africa’s favour, Kolisi and the Springboks have once again demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion when the pressure is at its highest.
Main Image: Cape Times
