The Test will  see Kolisi becoming just the ninth player to don the hallowed green-and-gold jersey 100 or more times.

On Saturday, the Springboks will face France in Paris in a highly anticipated clash between the Rugby Championship winners and the Six Nations champions, and Kolisi will be right at the forefront when he leads his team onto the park at the iconic Stade de France.

Siya Kolisi in action for Grey High School against Grey College in Bloemfotnein - Grey High School

Kolisi had many role players in his journey, but coach Eric Songwiqi was arguably the most influential, having spotted the young rising star playing in the Zwide township in Gqeberha. It was through Songwiqi that the two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain found his way to Grey High School, and later connected with Andrewe Hayidakis, who is now the deputy headmaster at Grey College Primary in Bloemfontein. Hayidakis continues to nurture young rugby talent, working with players such as Lamla Mgedezi, Ethan Adams, and Eddie Mabena, to name just a few.

Speaking ahead of his monumental Test against Les Bleus, Kolisi thanked the various role players who shaped his life and career - including the Zwide community, Songwiqi, Hayidakis, and Vincent Mai.

“How I feel - I’m very proud and honoured. I’m actually grateful and thankful to everybody who’s played a part in my life, because without them, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Kolisi.

“First and foremost, my community - they say ‘ukuliswa ilali’ (it takes a village to raise a child) - and I’ve been helped by so many people from all walks of life. The foundation of who I am definitely comes from Zwide, and really from the whole of the Eastern Cape - places like New Brighton and KwaZakhele. We all grew up the same way. The people there parented me like I was their own - when I made mistakes or did stupid things, they would discipline me and then take me home, where I’d get another talk or a smack. That kind of community raised me.

“There are so many people who believed in me. My teacher, Mr Eric Songwiqi, played a huge role in my rugby journey - he used to drive me to trials when I had no transport. He was the one who took me to Grey, and then Mr Andrewe Hayidakis took over when I got there. Vincent Mai, who paid for my schooling, has also been a huge part of my story - he’s actually here from America for this game.

Andrewe Hayidakis and Jurie Geldenhuys - Facebooks

“My late grandmother too - I wish she could be here to experience this moment with me. She meant so much.

“In rugby, I’ve had so many people who have believed in me and guided me. Coach Rassie Erasmus gave me my first contract. Oom Frikkie helped me early on, and then Coach Heyneke Meyer gave me my first Test cap. Coach Allister Coetzee backed me and gave me my first start. And of course, Jacques Nienaber, who I’ve played under for many years. All my coaches, even the ones at club level, have shaped me into the person I am.

“I’ve made mistakes along the way, and there were coaches who could have chased me away - including Coach Rassie - but instead they stuck with me, advised me, and kept backing me. I eventually learned my lessons, put my head down, and worked hard.

“To all my teammates, from childhood right up to today - I’m super, super grateful. I carry all of them with me every time I play, along with all South Africans who expect so much from this team because they’ve seen what we’re capable of. I take that with me - but I’m not doing it alone. I’m doing it with the 22, 40, or 50 other players in the squad, and with the coaching staff too.

“It’s a huge honour to wear the green-and-gold jersey. For me, it’s never been about captaincy or individual accolades - just wearing the Springbok jersey means everything. There have been fewer than 1,000 Springboks in history, so not many people get this opportunity. To wear it 100 times is something truly special.”

Saturday’s Test between France and the Springboks at the Stade de France in Paris kicks off at 22:10.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport