'I TOOK ONE FOR THE TEAM'

THERE can be no doubt – Siya Kolisi is the greatest Springbok captain of all time.

Not for his on-field performance in Saturday’s 32-17 win over France in Paris, but for his act of selflessness in his milestone 100th game for South Africa.

Kolisi chose to be the sacrificial lamb at halftime after teammate Lood de Jager was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Thomas Ramos, dooming the Boks to play with 14 manne for the rest of the game.

It forced Bok coach Rassie Erasmus to make one of the most difficult calls of his tenure, asking Kolisi to be substituted so that he could bring on Ruan Nortje to replace De Jager at lock.

Kolisi admits it was a bitter pill to swallow, especially seeing the reluctance in Erasmus’ eyes when he approached him in the sheds with the request.

However, since taking over as captain, the mantra of this squad and Kolisi has always been “Team First” and he said: “It is easy to say, put the team first, but when it comes to a moment like today [Saturday] and you have to actually do it, it is never easy, but I think that is what makes our team special. When coach came to ask me, he was really sad but you have to put your emotions to the side.”

Praising Erasmus’ tough call, Kolisi added: “Also congrats to coach on his 50th Test in charge. He has not made it about him this week and made it about the team and that is very special for me.”

Meanwhile, Erasmus credited his team’s experience for Saturday’s win and wysed: “I must take very little credit for what was said at halftime, because this bunch of guys are wiser and we desperately wanted to win this game.”

Of how they made the Hane sag after Kolisi had to get sidelined, he said: “The guys who started already softened them up and then the bench just finished it.”