Benni McCarthy Joins Jurgen Klopp in Celebrating Siya Kolisi’s Career Milestone

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is among those who have congratulated Springboks captain Siya Kolisi for reaching 100 test matches.

Kolisi joined the century club as South Africa came from behind to beat France 32-17 at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night, showing selflessness on the day.

The South Africa captain, who has guided the Springboks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup trophy wins, had a bittersweet evening on his special day as he started the match but had to come off to allow his team get balance after a sending off.

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Kolisi started the match but when Lood de Jager received a permanent red card for a dangerous tackle just before half-time, the flanker decided to come off so that lock Ruan Nortje could come on and restore balance in the lineouts, and he spent the second half cheering and rallying his teammates as they fought from 17-13 down in the 58th minute to win the game.

Even with 14 men, South Africa dominated possession and lineouts while they had a firm grip on set-pieces after the break, going on to score three unanswered tries, to turn the game on its head.

After the encounter, Kolisi was congratulated by his teammates for reaching 100 test appearances and among those celebrating him was McCarthy, one of his bosom buddies.

“Big congratulations on your 100th game my brother. Super proud of you Siya Kolisi and the team,” McCarthy posted on his Instagram stories regarding the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup winner.

McCarthy was not the only prominent football figure congratulating Kolisi as former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also paid glowing tribute to the 34-year-old.

"Calling you my friend is one of the biggest honours I can imagine. Having an idol in a sport I don't understand at all is pretty special as well,” Klopp posted on Instagram.

"Congratulations. One hundred - isn't it crazy? And the best is still to come. Much love from Germany. See you."

Reacting to his career milestone, Kolisi admitted to feeling different emotions but stressed the importance of putting the team first, going by his decision to come off when the Springboks were reduced to 14 men.

“You saw the way they started — making breaks, coming at us — but we didn’t panic. The coolness remained. We put the team first and that’s what we did today,” said Kolisi after the match.

“It’s not easy — you have to put emotions aside. We always make decisions for the team. Then it’s all good,” added the Port Elizabeth native, who was made captain in 2018.