Siya: Age just a number for ‘Grandpa’ Brannas

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi singled out Deon Fourie’s contribution in Saturday’s 33-26 win over the All Blacks in Cape Town.

Fourie, who turns 40 on 25 September, became the oldest Bok when starting the Test at hooker in a late front-row reshuffle. He put in another typically industrious performance before being replaced by Malcolm Marx after 35 minutes.

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Kolisi said the Springboks have massive respect for the elder statesman.

“Brannas – we call him Grandpa now! We’re very happy for him as a group.

“He’s shown that age is nothing but a number. He’s got the hunger and the fight in him and the guys believe in him.”

The Bok captain also congratulated prop Ox Nché and flank Pieter-Steph du Toit for playing their 50th and 100th Tests respectively.

“I’m so happy for Ox. He’s become one of the best players in the world,” he said.

“Pieter-Steph has come back through two ACLs. I remember visiting him in hospital with his leg cut open and look where he is today.

“He’s a player we love in the team and he leaves everything on the field, so I’m just so happy that we could do it for him and South Africa as well.”

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With the series level, the Boks now turn their attention to the third Test at FNB Stadium.

“Next week is going to be big too. Some of us will be playing in Soweto for the first time, so it’s going to be really special,” Kolisi said.

“It’s already hard playing the All Blacks once, but playing them four times is really difficult.”

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