Despite the impressive rise of Paul de Villiers, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi continues to be an indispensable player for the national team.
The newcomer Paul de Villiers has drawn attention to the future of the Springboks' loose forward trio. He was called up at the last minute to replace Siya Kolisi in the match against England at the first World Cup, where he debuted brilliantly. Following this, he demonstrated convincing performances against Scotland and Wales.
De Villiers brought relentless pace to the squad. His persistent work at the breakdown, searching for turnovers or slowing down the opposition's game, is combined with an underrated ability to powerfully carry the ball into contact after the initial phase of attack. In his first test matches, the young forward proved that he possesses both physical endurance and the desire to succeed at the highest level of international sport, which inevitably sparks discussions about the handover in the South African back row.
Nevertheless, any suggestions that the true owner of the No. 6 position in the Springboks is ready to yield his spot to the young contender De Villiers are premature. Siya Kolisi, a two-time World Cup winner, remains the heart and soul of this Springboks team—a seasoned warrior whose immense influence on the field extends far beyond the emotional and symbolic significance of carrying the nation's hopes.
Kolisi's career is marked by a remarkable ability to overcome adversity and reach the most crucial moments. He recovered twice from knee injuries that threatened his career just one day before the World Cups, defying medical prognoses to lead South Africa to two consecutive Webb Ellis Cup victories in Japan and France.
In recent years, he also seems to be challenging his age, demonstrating some of the best performances of his career. This was evident during brilliant games against Ireland in 2024, after doubts arose regarding his place in the team and captaincy following the 2023 World Cup victory. Furthermore, he played a decisive part in the record victory over the All Blacks in Wellington last year.
However, his contribution to the evolving Springboks attacking system remains unparalleled, even if it is sometimes unnoticed by the casual observer. While open forwards are often judged solely on defensive turnovers, Kolisi's primary skill manifests on the opposite side of the ball: ensuring South Africa's possession in the attacking loose forward line during peak defensive pressure.
In the intense arena of modern test rugby, where opposing defenses aggressively press along the line and crash onto the breakdown to create turnovers, clean ball is an invaluable asset for any attack. Kolisi's selfless work in this harsh area is elite. He is constantly first at the collision, identifying defensive threats and holding off defenders, thereby preserving vital attacking momentum.
When chaos threatens to engulf the breakdown, Kolisi restores order, providing the playmakers with the quick delivery necessary to open space out wide. Kolisi does not play as a traditional open forward, but rather as a hybrid loose forward capable of performing various roles. The Springboks have enough players who can steal the ball at the breakdown, such as forwards Malcolm Marx, Jasper Wiese, and centre Damian de Allende. Although Kolisi has been used as a ball carrier in wide channels in recent years, his main role as No. 6 is to ensure the Boks have clean and fast ball, and he does this excellently.
De Villiers has deservedly received widespread recognition for his fantastic start to his international career, proving that the South African backline production line remains as rich and competitive as ever. His swift emergence gives head coach Rassie Erasmus enviable squad depth and tactical flexibility for the upcoming test season.
However, as the Springboks prepare for the approaching Tour of great rivalry, the rare combination of Kolisi—unseen effectiveness at the breakdown, character in big games, and inspiring leadership—ensures that he remains absolutely indispensable to the national cause. The future may belong to Paul de Villiers, but the present still firmly belongs to Siya Kolisi.
Proteas captain Iden Markram commented on the discussion comparing Jacques Kallis and Ben Stokes following the retirement of the English star. Markram explained why the South African legend remains the greatest cricketer of all time.
After Ben Stokes' sudden announcement of retirement at the end of last month during the third match against New Zealand, Proteas captain Iden Markram stated that comparing the English star with the legendary all-rounder from South Africa, Jacques Kallis, is impossible.
In an exclusive interview with IOL, Markram noted: 'It is very difficult. Different eras, different generations. In my personal opinion, Jacques Kallis is the best cricketer who has ever played this game. To be on his level, one needs a lot, although this in no way diminishes Ben Stokes' achievements.'
Throughout Stokes' career, comparisons with Kallis were often made, but the statistics tell a different story. In Test matches, Kallis played 166 games, scoring 13,289 runs at an impressive average of 55, including 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries. With the ball, he took 292 wickets at an average of 32.
In comparison, Stokes played 122 matches, scoring 7,273 runs at an average of 34, with 14 centuries and 37 half-centuries. He took 252 wickets at an average of 30—the only metric where he surpasses Kallis.
Looking ahead, South Africa is preparing for a busy schedule of matches against Australia, Bangladesh, and England. Markram reported that the team will finally be playing cricket at home again in all formats—both white and red.
He added that the series against Australia will be an exciting one for the first time since 2018. Furthermore, England always presents a strong opponent, and Bangladesh has shown that their new fast bowling attack will create serious problems. Thus, the team faces three major series. Markram concluded that they are working towards possibly reaching the final of the ICC Test Championship, and he believes that a good summer period at home will give them a strong chance to do so.
The renowned Italian coach Antonio Conte gave high praise to the performance of Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentine national team, during the JCH-2026 tournament.
According to Conte, Messi once again demonstrated a level higher than expected. The coach noted that the player arrived at the tournament in excellent physical condition and once again showed his professionalism and desire to win.
Conte emphasized that despite his age—39 years old—Messi remains a decisive player for his team. He stated that one of Leo's main strengths is his football intelligence. Messi is capable of understanding what is happening on the field before others, which allows him to always take the most suitable position.
