Siya Kolisi has made his retirement plans clear as the Springboks legend targets one final shot at Rugby World Cup history.
The South Africa captain is now 35, but he has no plans to call time on his Test career just yet.
Instead, Kolisi has his sights firmly set on the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Should he make it, the flanker would have the chance to lead the Springboks to an incredible third straight title.
Kolisi makes retirement decision
Kolisi has been open about the fact retirement is getting closer.
However, he isn't ready to walk away while he still feels capable of performing at the highest level.
Speaking about his future last year, Kolisi admitted he simply wanted to play well enough to make South Africa's 2027 World Cup squad.
“My body feels good,” he said.
Kolisi has already captained his country to World Cup glory twice, lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 and 2023.
There had been questions over whether his body would allow him to continue through another full World Cup cycle.
Those doubts have eased.
Kolisi returned from injury this year and remains firmly involved in Rassie Erasmus' plans.
He has also gone back to where it all started after returning to the Stormers.
Erasmus has never been afraid to stick with experienced players, provided they can still deliver.
That leaves the door wide open for Kolisi.
He will be 36 when the next World Cup takes place.
If he gets there, he could finish his international career in the most ridiculous way possible – by becoming the first men's captain to lift three successive Rugby World Cups.
Five quirky facts about Siya Kolisi
1. He made Springboks history
Kolisi became South Africa's first black Test captain when he led the Springboks against England in 2018.
It was another huge milestone in a remarkable journey from Zwide township to becoming one of the most recognisable rugby players in the world.
2. He has never lost a World Cup knockout match as captain
South Africa won all six of their knockout matches across the 2019 and 2023 tournaments with Kolisi as captain.
That includes two finals, with the Boks beating England in Yokohama before edging New Zealand in Paris four years later.
3. His journey started at the Stormers
Kolisi made his senior breakthrough with Western Province before establishing himself with the Stormers.
He later represented the Sharks and Racing 92 before eventually returning to Cape Town.
4. He doesn't fancy becoming a coach
Don't expect to see Kolisi holding a clipboard when his playing days finally come to an end.
The Springboks captain has been pretty clear about that.
Kolisi revealed earlier this year that coaching would drive him “crazy” after spending time watching a Test from the Springboks coaches' box.
He even admitted he left the box at half-time and suggested a management role might suit him better.
5. A third World Cup would put him in a category of his own
Richie McCaw and Kolisi are the only men's captains to lift the Rugby World Cup twice.
McCaw led New Zealand to glory in 2011 and 2015, while Kolisi matched that achievement with South Africa in 2019 and 2023.
Another triumph in Australia would see Kolisi stand alone.
