{
  "id": 4000710,
  "title": "Kolisi credits coaches for improving Springbok longevity as 100 club grows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/kolisi-credits-coaches-for-improving-springbok-longevity-as-100-club",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-28T17:21:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/kolisi-credits-coaches-improving-springbok-longevity/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Springbok captain Siya Kolisi commended the team's coaching staff and their ability to align the team under a single mindset, contributing to the extended careers of players and the rise of the Springbok 100 Club. Pieter-Steph du Toit will become the 11th centurion when South Africa faces New Zealand in the upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test at the Cape Town Stadium. Du Toit is the fifth player from the current generation to reach this milestone, following Willie le Roux, Kolisi, Damian de Allende, and Damian de Allende. Prior to Eben Etzebeth's 100th appearance against Wales in 2022, South Africa only had six Test centurions. Since then, Willie le Roux, Kolisi, Damian de Allende, and Du Toit have joined the club, and more may follow in the coming years. Kolisi attributed the success to the coaches' understanding of the rotation plan, which considers the varying fitness levels of players and the importance of the World Cup. The coaches' clear communication about playing plans and realistic expectations have allowed the team to maintain a healthy roster and adapt to injuries, contributing to their overall performance and growth.",
  "summary": "The Springboks had six centurions before 2022 and have welcomed a further five players to the club since.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}