South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will lead the Springboks against England in the opening match of the Nations Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
The double World Cup-winning captain expressed deep respect for England flanker Tom Curry ahead of their openside matchup.
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“He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever played against,” Kolisi said.
The two loose forwards share a long history of competing against each other at the highest level of international rugby.
“I remember since 2018, and then in the 2019 World Cup Final too. He is a special human being, and I love playing against him.
Tomorrow’s going to be no different,” Kolisi added.
When questioned about a previous controversial altercation between Curry and Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi during the 2023 Rugby World Cup semifinal, the South African leader noted he had moved past the incident.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” responded Kolisi.
He emphasized that dwelling on past events would detract from the team's immediate focus on the upcoming fixture.
“Many things have gone by and it’s a new game.
For us, if you’re going to be thinking about that then your mind wouldn’t be on the game, you know,” Kolisi explained.
Despite South Africa holding home-ground advantage and a superior world ranking, the skipper rejected assertions that the hosts are definitive favorites.
“We listen to our coaches, and we know what it feels like to be beaten,” said Kolisi.
