Ardie Savea and Siya Kolisi open up on their special relationship as Springboks skipper pays emotional tribute to All Blacks centurion
Ardie Savea and Siya Kolisi may be enemies on the field, but they have formed a special bond off it over their years playing at the top level.
It is rare for individuals who feature for teams – the All Blacks and Springboks – that are arch-rivals to become close friends during their playing days, but that is what has happened for these two.
Savea and Kolisi have had an incredible impact on their respective countries but also the game as a whole, being two of the leading back-rowers in the sport.
Long-term friendship
According to the New Zealander, it is a friendship which goes back several years when he was just starting out on his journey.
“Some players on other teams, you just get along quite well, I just happened to form a good relationship with Siya and it happened at the start of my career,” he said on the Behind the Fern documentary.
Kolisi had the same sentiment when asked about their relationship last year. Despite the disappointment of the Springboks’ defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park, South Africa’s captain was very happy to speak about his rival and friend.
That encounter in the Rugby Championship was Savea’s 100th Test and he won a late turnover which prevented the Boks from getting a result, but the 34-year-old put that to one side as he praised the Kiwi great.
“I just thank him for the person that he is. Off the field, he’s amazing; a great father, a great husband and is a great friend as well,” Kolisi said.
“Always chats with me when times are tough but he’s also there to celebrate, even when we play against each other.
“It’s tough for us but I’m happy for him and his family. Thank you to Saskia for supporting him every single step of the way. His kids, too, it’s great to see how they’ve grown, so congrats to him.”
Importance of culture and family
While both are fierce competitors on the field and incredibly ambitious as players, culture, family and their upbringing has a huge role in who they are as people.
“Also, just the stuff he does on the field, going back to play for Moana [Pasifika], that’s huge. It means a lot to him,” Kolisi added.
“I love him a lot and I’m proud of him. It was a hard one [at Eden Park] but he deserves everything that he gets.”
