Siya Kolisi Calls Springboks Star ‘Grandpa’ After the Veteran Impressed in Win Over All Blacks

• Springbok captain Siya Kolisi singled out Deon Fourie after the Boks beat New Zealand 33-26 in Cape Town on Saturday
• Fourie, who turns 40 on 25 September, started at hooker in a last-minute front-row change and became the oldest Bok to start a Test
• Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted he felt the pressure heading into the match after last week's 33-16 loss in Johannesburg

Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi had special words for veteran hooker Deon Fourie after South Africa edged New Zealand 33-26 in Cape Town on Saturday, saying the squad now affectionately calls him "Grandpa" and that he has proven age means nothing in rugby.

Fourie, who celebrates his 40th birthday on 25 September, was thrust into the starting line-up at hooker as part of a late front-row reshuffle. His energetic display before being replaced by Malcolm Marx in the 35th minute left teammates and supporters buzzing.

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## Kolisi's Tribute to 'Grandpa' Fourie

Kolisi was effusive in his praise for the elder statesman of the squad.

"Brannas — we call him Grandpa now! We're very happy for him as a group," Kolisi said. "He's shown that age is nothing but a number. He's got the hunger and the fight in him and the guys believe in him."

The Springboks made a statement from the first whistle, crossing for a try inside two minutes and never relinquishing the lead. The result brought welcome relief after the 33-16 hammering they suffered in Johannesburg the previous week, a defeat that heaped considerable scrutiny on the team.

## Erasmus Warns Against Complacency

Head coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged the weight of that scrutiny and conceded it had got to him personally.

"We 100% understand the pressure and why people are upset because no one wants to support a losing team," Erasmus said. "No one in South Africa wants to support anything that's not working. A loss here and there doesn't make you a losing team immediately, but it's when you go on a losing run that the pressure comes on. But of course, I felt the pressure, I think the players will tell you I felt the pressure. I was nervous."

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Despite the satisfaction of the victory, Erasmus was quick to pump the brakes on any sense of self-congratulation within the camp.

"We must make sure we're not comfortable after this win and think we're all good again because there were things we didn't do well," he added.

For Fourie, the performance underlined that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level, and if his teammates have anything to say about it, Grandpa is not going anywhere just yet.

Source: Briefly News