Siya and Ardie don’t talk rugby

Siya Kolisi and Ardie Savea may be fierce competitors on the field, but rugby is off limits when the Springbok and All Blacks captains spend time together away from it.

The two loose forwards will lead their countries into the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

But their rivalry was put aside last Sunday when they attended church together.

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“We definitely don’t look for one another [on the field], but when we get the opportunity, we do give it to each other. It’s also a sign of respect,” Kolisi said on Friday.

“But we don’t talk about rugby [off the field]. We’ve both got kids and families, so those are the conversations that we have between us.

“We also share the same faith and that’s why we go to church together, and also just [talk about] life and things off the field, the struggles that we face.

“We talk more [about those things], but rugby is never [part of it]. It’s an awkward conversation. He’s a leader of that team and I’m leading the team here, and that’s never part of the conversation.

“It’s just about life and our kids and how things are going and growing together.”

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Savea echoed Kolisi’s sentiments a couple of hours later, describing the friendship between the two captains – and their ability to put it aside when they pull on their national jerseys – as “a massive blessing”.

“I think that’s the beautiful thing about both nations,” Savea said.

“We compete, we try and get each other on the field, but what a powerful statement to be able to unite both countries.

“To be able to do that with a brother off the field, but then obviously try and destroy each other [on the field], it’s a massive blessing.

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‘It’s always special playing against Siya and it’s always special playing against the Springboks,” he added.

‘It demands a lot from you and, as an All Black, it’s one of the toughest Test matches you’ll play.

‘To be able to do that here in Cape Town, it’s going to be special.”

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images