Bok captain Siya Kolisi opens up on special bond with All Blacks rival Ardie Savea

It is rare for players representing arch-rivals like the All Blacks and Springboks to form close friendships during their careers, but that is exactly what has happened with these two.

According to Savea, it is a friendship which goes back several years when he was just starting out on his rugby journey.

"Some players on other teams, you just get along quite well, I just happened to form a good relationship with Siya and it happened at the start of my career," he said on the Behind the Fern documentary.

Kolisi had the same sentiment when asked about their relationship last year. Despite the disappointment of the Springboks' defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park, South Africa's captain was very happy to speak about his rival and friend.

That encounter in the Rugby Championship was Savea's 100th Test and he won a late turnover which prevented the Boks from getting a result, but the 34-year-old put that to one side as he praised the Kiwi great.

"I just thank him for the person that he is. Off the field, he's amazing; a great father, a great husband and is a great friend as well," Kolisi said.

"Always chats with me when times are tough but he's also there to celebrate, even when we play against each other.

"It's tough for us but I'm happy for him and his family. Thank you to Saskia for supporting him every single step of the way. His kids, too, it's great to see how they've grown, so congrats to him."

While both are fierce competitors on the field and incredibly ambitious as players, culture, family and their upbringing has a huge role in who they are as people.

"Also, just the stuff he does on the field, going back to play for Moana [Pasifika], that's huge. It means a lot to him," Kolisi added.

"I love him a lot and I'm proud of him. It was a hard one [at Eden Park] but he deserves everything that he gets."