On Friday, Kolisi shared his thoughts during a media event, where he was open about his physical condition and his commitment to the team. Despite only playing 70 minutes over two matches in 2026 due to hamstring issues, he remains focused.
When questioned about whether he contemplates retirement due to his injuries, Kolisi responded with humor and resilience.
"I’m still young, Brannas [Deon Fourie] is older than me! No, honestly, I don’t think like that at all, especially with the captaincy. I want to be in the team and I want to play. As long as God still allows me and I can recover from an injury."
The challenges of coming back from injury seem more mental for Kolisi, who places little focus on the end of his career. He draws inspiration from his teammates’ own recoveries from severe injuries.
"When I did my ACL, I had guys [who had] also done their ACL ... Those kinds of conversations, when you have those dark moments and you have a guy next to you who says, 'Hey, you’ll get through'."
Despite the physical setbacks, Kolisi’s spirit remains high. His ongoing recovery has been supported by an excellent medical team, fueling his readiness to take the field.
Kolisi also touched on the squad rotation policy that has defined this era for the Springboks, acknowledging the public's mixed reactions but stressing the team's internal focus.
"It’s difficult because you want to play every game, but you have to surrender your own dreams and goals and put them aside, because we’re not only playing for each other, but we’re playing for the whole of South Africa."
The series with the All Blacks, tagged as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, tests not only the physical prowess of the players but also their mental fortitude. For veterans like Kolisi, the game is as much about the national pride as it is about the sport.
Despite the turnovers and the strategic changes, Kolisi is confident in the resilience and strength of his team. Whether tomorrow marks his final Test match or not, his legacy is firmly rooted in his indomitable spirit and leadership on and off the field.
