VIDEO: Siya on his age, 100th cap and next World Cup

VIDEO: It is difficult to imagine someone other than Siya Kolisi leading the Springboks, but time waits for no one, and at the next World Cup, the inspirational captain will be 36 years old.

Kolisi returns to lead the Boks for the first time this year when they host Georgia in Mbombela on Saturday.

Not only will 2025 be a special year for the Bok captain as he is set to become the next Test centurion, but the question is also whether the 34-year-old will be able to go to the next World Cup in Australia in 2027.

On Saturday, Kolisi will run out in his 93rd Test for the Boks. When asked how much it would mean to him to play in his 100th Test, the humble leader told reporters at the team hotel: “I’m trying not to think about it, to be honest.

“It will be a huge honour to play 100 games, and for me, it doesn’t matter when it is. If you look at it, it could be the end-of-year tour, but tomorrow’s game is the most important.

“I just want to get my first opportunity.

“I don’t want to think too far ahead. It could happen this year, or it could happen next year.”

The dynamic Kolisi has led his squad to two Rugby World Cup titles in succession.

The man they call ‘The Bear’ burst onto the top-tier rugby scene in 2012 at just 20 years old, when he made his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers.

He has since gone on to capture the hearts of not only his fellow countrymen, but has also become a South African icon and ambassador all over the world.

He missed the first two Test matches against Italy due to a neck and Achilles injury.

On Friday, after the captain’s run at the Mbombela stadium, Kolisi was asked about his return to the pitch for the first time this season for the Springboks.

And how he sees his longevity in rugby, looking ahead at the next World Cup.

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“It was tough not to play.

“I would have loved to play, but coming back in camp has been good for me.

“To solely focus on being here,” Kolisi told reporters.

“And being with the boys as well, and seeing some boys who haven’t been here for a long time, like Lood [de Jager] and Edwil [van der Merwe] coming back.

“I think the environment itself helps a lot, not just in rugby, I think the off-the-field stuff as well.

“To be with your friends, people you are close to. I think those kind of relationships helps,” he said.

Looking ahead at the next World Cup, Kolisi shared a bit about his conversations with the coaching staff, and more importantly, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

“I feel good, my body feels good. It’s all about how it goes. I must go every year and every game and see.

“That is the goal. I still want to be there. And coach Rassie made it clear – you can be 36, but if you are the fittest 36-year-old, that is all you need.

“I don’t need to be the fittest out of everyone.

“It’s all about what I can do and produce on the field. And if I still feel as good as I feel today, I think I will be there,” he shared.

Kolisi explained how important the rotation system within the Bok squad is.

“The coaching staff, the conditioning coaches, and the medical team keep on swapping the team.

“It’s about depth and the future of Springbok rugby.

“Coach Rassie is honest with us. He wasn’t to leave the team in a better place when we do finish, and we do have that in mind.

“He has open conversations with us about it.

“We want to win, and we want to adapt, and get better, innovate, and give players opportunities. We’ve given 46 players chances.

“There is a whole plan every weekend, but we understand there is a whole plan for the future of South African rugby,” the captain explained.

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick added to the conversation, saying that Kolisi was still in top shape.

“Siya is in good shape.

“I have to be honest, we were surprised. When we started with the group this year in Johannesburg, they had a heavy fitness test, and Siya had one of the best scores.

“To us, age doesn’t really matter too much. As long as you keep producing and you can handle the load, even if you get to the age of 38 or 40, we will select you.

“It will be unfair to think of looking at the age of a player. I don’t think we have the right to do so.

“If he can still produce, we will select him,” he confirmed.