Rugby-From joker to captain courageous, Kolisi reaches milestone

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool B - South Africa v Ireland - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - September 23, 2023 South Africa's Siya Kolisi waves to fans after the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

TOULON, France (Reuters) - Siya Kolisi will captain South Africa for the 50th time in the must-win Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, something that would have seemed fanciful in his early years when just having food on the table was a daily challenge.

The flanker has become an iconic figure in the game after helping his side to the 2019 World Cup title in Japan, and is arguably South Africa’s most loved sportsperson at home. Only John Smit has more tests as Springbok captain with 83.