New family dynasty set for special piece of Test history in Soweto

The Sititi family will take centre stage at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with 19-year-old sensation Amarante named for the Black Ferns and 23-year-old brother Wallace named for the All Blacks in the Greatest Rivalry double-header.

It’s just the second time siblings have represented New Zealand on the same day, following Annaleah and Xavier Rush in 1998.

Both siblings have been named in the No.20 jerseys for their respective teams, with Amarante set to make just her second Test appearance for the Black Ferns and Wallace in line to make his 22nd Test appearance for the All Blacks.

“Obviously, it’s special just to be in this All Blacks team, and to have my little sister here sitting next to me is definitely special. Doing it on the same day, and wearing the same number is crazy,” Wallace told reporters on the eve of the doubleheader in Johannesburg.

“I’m extremely proud. She’s put in a lot of hard work to get here, and although it’s been a quick rise to where she is at the moment, I think that’s a testament to how hard she’s worked and the time she’s put into it.

“She played a lot of sports growing up. I think the last two years of school she really took it seriously, and I remember one conversation we had in the car ride home when I picked her up from school; she said she wanted to do this professionally, and I said if that’s what you want, then stick to the lord and he’ll guide you through it.

“She’s worked pretty hard, and I’m just extremely proud of her, extremely stoked for her.”

For Amarante, it’s a “surreal” experience to be halfway around the world, competing in the first Black Ferns game against the Springboks Women in South Africa, let alone doing it with her older brother.

“Representing this country is a privilege, but doing it alongside my brother is something special, and I’ll always hold it in my heart. Just like Wally said, it’s all because of our family and their prayers,” said the breakout Blues star.

“I’m still buzzing that I get to be here with my brother. I don’t think I’ve told him yet, but he’s a big inspiration for me, just like my dad.”

Wallace wouldn’t take the compliment without some familial banter, saying: “I had to pay her to say that.”

The pair follow in some iconic footsteps, with their father, Semo, a former Samoan captain and 59-Test international.

When the family found out that both siblings would be running out in Soweto on Saturday, Semo packed his bags and jumped on a flight to South Africa.

“It wasn’t planned that he was going to be here,” Wallace explained. “We sort of had this date in the back of our minds, that there was a possibility it could happen. And then, when we found out earlier in the week that we were both going to play, he said he would somehow make his way here.

“It’s massive; he’s had a massive influence on us, not only as rugby players, but as people. And our mother, who unfortunately can’t be here.

“But he’s a big role model for Samoan people.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

22 - 29

12 - 55

19 - 26

34 - 21

46 - 17

66 - 19

5 - 40

14 - 36

15 - 48

42 - 26

3

Wins

5

2

Streak

5

26

Tries Scored

35

27

Points Difference

153

2/5

First Try

2/5

2/5

First Points

2/5

1/5

Race To 10 Points

4/5

Semo landed in time to have dinner with his children on Thursday evening, where he was able to impart his fatherly wisdom.

“He said just to play my game and just be myself,” said Amarante. “That’s his advice to me every game: be myself and not be pressured by any outside noise.”

The pair were quick to express gratitude and credit their faith for their “blessings”.

“Obviously, it’s just us here, but there’s a whole village behind us back in Auckland, but also back in Samoa,” added Wallace.

It’s been a shaky Test season to date for the older Sititi sibling, with an error-riddled 80-minute performance against Italy in Wellington as his only start under new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie. Two bench showings have shown flashes of the X-factor that won him the Breakthrough Player of the Year award in 2024; a campaign in which he won the starring No.6 jersey by starring against the Springboks in South Africa.

“Whenever I’m out there, there’s always a point to prove,” he said ahead of a must-win game in the Greatest Rivalry series. “The way we play rugby is with a chip on our shoulder; we go out there, we have fun.”