‘The feeling is mutual’: Springbok Siya Kolisi responds to Ardie Savea

During last year’s World Rugby Awards in Paris, Ardie Sava and Siya Kolisi stopped for an interview with New Zealand’s 1News. The two warriors had gone to battle in the Rugby World Cup Final about 24 hours earlier, with Kolisi’s Springboks coming out on top 12-11.

Kolisi described Savea, who had just been crowned World Rugby’s Player of the Year, as a “brother” during that interview. The All Blacks enforcer put his arm around the Springboks captain shortly after in a moment that symbolises the rivalry between their teams.

It depends on who you ask but New Zealand and South Africa might share the most intense rivalry in Test rugby. With a history of more than 100 Test matches between the proud rugby nations, it’s a rivalry built on passion but importantly, respect as well.

In an interview with Jim Hamilton on RugbyPass TV earlier this year, Savea was asked about Kolisi. “I always try to smash Siya because he is a good mate of mine,” the New Zealander explained after being asked about Kolisi’s teammate Eben Etzebeth.

But Kolisi laid down the gauntlet this week ahead of the Springboks’ clash with the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with the skipper insisting the “feeling is mutual.” This writer asked Kolisi about Savea’s comment and the two-time Rugby World Cup winner was assured in reply.

“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.

“It’s always a tough battle. Sam Cane (is) also back in the squad now, he’s been a warrior for the All Blacks for so many years. (Ethan) Blackadder, you also add another warrior who works hard and is just like (Springbok Ben-Jason Dixon) as well.

“It’s going to be a proper battle, especially in the loose forwards and the pack in general.”

Kolisi, 33, will lead the Springboks into battle again on Saturday evening in a blockbuster clash with the All Blacks at Ellis Park. The Johannesburg venue has hosted some epic Tests between the sides over the years, and this promises to be another epic.

South Africa appears to be the team to beat in The Rugby Championship. They recorded two dominant wins over Australia in Brisbane and Perth – incredibly, showing signs of improvement after taking out the sport’s ultimate prize last October.

New Zealand will have a thing or two to say about South Africa’s favouritism this weekend, though. The All Blacks have won three of their last four meetings between the sides at the now-called Emirates Airline Park, and the visitors want to extend that streak further.

There’s a lot riding on this Test. It’s more than just bragging rights, this is the weight of two rugby-mad nations preparing for the type of Test that only comes around once or twice a year. As Kolisi insisted, there’s nothing to gain from looking beyond this match.

“We’re motivated for tomorrow… we want to try to win tomorrow so that takes us closer to win the Freedom Cup, that’s all we’re thinking about,” Kolisi explained.

“Tomorrow is a big game for us. I know a lot of people are saying they have a lot of motivation, we also have a lot of motivation – they’ve beaten us a lot of times. Some of us in this group have had a 57-nil defeat that we’ll never forget.

“Tomorrow is an important game for us and we have a lot to play for. That’s all we’ve been focused on is just tomorrow.”