Springboks and All Blacks showed the spirit of rugby beyond the scoreboard as Jesse Kriel and Siya Kolisi marked Savea’s milestone with pure class.
Auckland, New Zealand (08 September 2025) – The All Blacks maintained their 31-year unbeaten record at Eden Park in Auckland, edging the Springboks in wet and greasy conditions in another fierce Rugby Championship clash.
Forget the game and the stats, there was a heartwarming moment following the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship win over the Springboks when Jesse Kriel and Siya Kolisi congratulated Ardie Savea on his 100th Test cap.
Kriel, who captained the Boks on the day, presented Savea with a special gift on behalf of the team, while Kolisi stood alongside in support. But it was what happened in the background that truly captured hearts. Savea’s young daughter spotted Kolisi and ran straight to him, joyfully calling out “Uncle Siya!” The Springbok captain knelt down, greeted her warmly, and asked how she was doing. Marvelling at how much she has grown and asking if she is proud of her dad.
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On the pitch, the Boks and All Blacks remain fierce competitors, but off it, moments like this reveal the deep bonds and mutual respect shared between players and their families.
While the scoreboard reflected New Zealand’s continued dominance at Eden Park, this exchange showed why rugby is so often called “the game of respect.” On the pitch, the Boks and All Blacks remain the fiercest of rivals, but off it, moments like this remind us it’s always bigger than the game.
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