Springbok captain Siya Kolisi declared on Thursday that facing Ireland, the No. 1 team in the world, is “as big as it gets” as the defending world champions prepare to face the Irish in one of the biggest duels in the Rugby World Cup thus far at the Stade de France in Paris in their round three pool match on Saturday.
The match will have a pivotal influence on determining the Pool B quarter-finalists, as well as having the No. 1 world ranking up for grabs.
"I think this is as big as it gets," said Kolisi.
"We are playing the number one team in the world in the World Cup, that is what you dream about as a child. They are an amazing side, they have won 14 in a row so it's going to take the best of us to beat them."
"I am looking forward to it and I can see the excitement all around the world, everybody is keen for this game. It is going to take something special to get out of this pool.”
Kolisi added: “We took a lot from the last match we played against them. And both teams are playing well, so this is a good time to face them. We want to play nice, competitive rugby and I believe the match will be tough and played in a good spirit.”
