Siya Kolisi names two England stars among his five toughest opponents

Thursday, 30 November 2023 at 19:44

byRugby Rucker

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been discussing some of his toughest opponents from his incredible international career.

Not only did he lead the Springboks to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, but he is also the national team’s first black captain in their 126-year history.

DID YOU KNOW? Alongside his wife Rachel, Siya runs the Kolisi Foundation, which aims to provide assistance and opportunities for South Africans from vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the foundation provided PPE to frontline medical workers.

#1. Liam Williams (Wales)

Position Fullback
Height 6 ft 2 in
Weight 85kg

Kolisi said: "A guy like Liam Williams is a hard guy, he’s a nice guy off the field but he’s no nonsense. He doesn't take a backwards step."

DID YOU KNOW? Williams has spoken previously about his struggles with a stammer which was exacerbated by the pressures of conducting press interviews. Williams has sought therapy to resolve this and has conducted more interviews since.

#2. Maro Itoje (England)

Position Second-row
Height 6 ft 5 in
Weight 115kg

Kolisi said: "Over the years I’ve played him a few times and you always know he’s there,”

Maro Itoje of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

DID YOU KNOW? As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put

#3. Tom Curry (England)

Position Back-row
Height 6 ft 0 in
Weight 110kg

Kolisi said: "I have been chatting to Tom Curry every now and then. I like to think we're friends. He's a very good player."

Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

DID YOU KNOW? He is the nephew of former England hooker John Olver

#4. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

Position Number 8
Height 6 ft 2 in
Weight 102kg

The New Zealand loose-forward is a force of nature and is the All Blacks' go to man when under pressure. There are very few sides who can live with the 29-year-old in full flow.

Kolisi said: "He knows how I feel about him. We don't hide it, there's no secret about it — when we play against each other, we want to smash each other."

DID YOU KNOW? Savea has Samoan ancestry and is a father-of-two, having married his partner, Saskia, in 2018.

#5. Michael Hooper (Australia)

Position Back-row
Height 6 ft 0 in
Weight 101kg

"Ever since I started playing rugby I've looked forward to games against other back-rowers who are highly rated," he said. "Hooper is one of the best of his generation."