WATCH: Siya Kolisi brilliantly remains respectful in brutal ‘get off’ sledge at All Blacks staff

Even in the heat of the battle, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi remains respectful and he proved that yet again when facing the All Blacks in Wellington.

It’s incredibly rare to see Kolisi lose his cool on the pitch, and he did not let his emotions get the better of him on Saturday at Sky Stadium despite being annoyed with one of the All Blacks’ staff members.

Siya Kolisi’s sledge

The Bok captain is usually polite on and off the pitch, and despite taking a dig at Martin Swan, the NZ Rugby doctor, he did so in a courteous manner.

This occurred during a discussion between matchday referee Nika Amashukeli, Kolisi and All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett. Amashukeli had just awarded the Springboks a penalty due to an off-the-ball tackle by Tamaiti Williams on Ruan Nortje, seconds after Tupou Vaa’i’s no-arms hit on Cheslin Kolbe.

Barrett was struggling with a niggle during that passage of play and Swan came onto the pitch to tend to the All Blacks lock.

Amashukeli called the two captains together after a second scuffle had erupted following the awarding of the penalty, with the Georgian referee warning: “The next team to initiate a scuffle, it will be a penalty. Speak to your teams.”

Kolisi replied: “It’s the same guy again,” possibly in reference to Vaa’i, who managed to rile up the Springboks players.

Swan interjected with comments of his own, and that is when Kolisi took aim.

“Sir, get off. You are not the captain. Sir, you cannot do that,” he remarked, with Amashukeli agreeing, saying: “Yes, thank you.”

The chat between the referee and the Bok captain continued.

“Siya, control your team, please,” Amashukeli said.

“I will, I promise,” Kolisi responded.

Headboy Siya Kolisi is always respectful, even when sledging. 😂

🗣️ “Sir, get off. You are not the captain.” pic.twitter.com/VO0Cd19flb

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 19, 2025

Waterboy antics

The antics of water carriers and physios has been a hot topic in recent years, particularly at the highest level with the Springboks copping plenty of criticism previously.

Former Bok physio Rene Naylor was often criticised for screaming on the touchline while she followed the player and notably entered the pitch to celebrate, while the ball was still in play, during a Test match against England.

Rassie Erasmus also controversially performed the waterboy duties during the 2021 British and Irish Lions series, prompting a change in the laws by World Rugby, with head coaches and directors of rugby now prohibited from bringing water on for the players.

During the 2024 Six Nations, Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins caused a stir when he came on with water for the players and hit out at referee Mathieu Raynal.

The assistant coach persistently questioned the referee about the high tackle, before Raynal snapped back by saying: “Your job is to carry to the water.”

Jenkins replied: “And your job is to referee the game.”

The Frenchman did not take that remark lightly and warned Jenkins that it was his “last” warning.

READ MORE: Nigel Owens calls for ‘sanctions’ in the wake of Wales coach’s ‘unacceptable’ comments to referee