Jurgen Klopp hails 'my friend' Siya Kolisi as Bok captain celebrates 100 caps

The two sporting icons met during a chance encounter in South Africa several years ago and have since become fast friends.

In a special message posted to his Instagram account, the former Liverpool boss spoke with admiration about Kolisi's journey, describing the Bok skipper as a true friend and inspiration.

"Siya, my friend, another milestone in one of the most incredible sports careers I've ever heard of.

"The things I love in life the most is stories about people who made their way.

"Obviously, the most inspiring stories are the stories where the start was at the time when nobody could even imagine that a positive future is possible, and I think that's your story.

"Calling you my friend is one of the biggest honours I can imagine. Having an idol in a sport I don't understand at all is pretty special as well.

"Congratulations. One hundred - isn't it crazy? And the best is still to come. Much love from Germany. See you."

Kolisi and Klopp's unlikely friendship began soon after South Africa's 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph. The Bok captain was celebrating with friends and family at a restaurant in Cape Town when he spotted Klopp - who was on vacation - walking past his table.

What started as a chance encounter turned into a conversation that lasted more than an hour. Klopp even invited Kolisi to visit Anfield - an offer the Springbok captain took up just days later, attending Liverpool's Champions League clash with Napoli.

The meeting marked the beginning of a remarkable cross-sport friendship. Over the years, the pair have reunited multiple times, including for their much-loved Adidas 'Klopp x Kolisi' campaign.

They also discovered that they share a birthday, exchanging messages every 16 June without fail.

"He's a friend now, he's a really good friend," Kolisi previously said of Klopp. "I'm a big fan, but he treats me like a friend. He's such a good human being, his wife is amazing too."