Sititi siblings set for special day as Black Ferns and All Blacks take on South Africa

Wallace and Amarante Sititi will make their family incredibly proud this weekend when they both represent New Zealand on the world stage.Both loose forwards, 19-year-old Amarante is in the reserves for the Black Ferns' historic match with the Springbok Women on Saturday night in Johannesburg before Wallace will come off the bench for the All Blacks in Sunday morning's crucial third test against the Springboks in the second game of the double header.It's only the second time in history that siblings have represented New Zealand's men's and women's rugby teams on the same day, with Xavier and Annaleah Rush the first to achieve the feat in 1998."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 said."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."All Black Wallace Sititi in action against the Lions, 2026.Photosport NZ Ltd / www.photosport.nzWallace said his sister has been talented from a young age."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."Teenager Amarante, who made her debut last month in New Zealand's big win over Australia, can't wait to get out on the field and said it was "surreal" being involved in the first Black Ferns game against the Springbok Women in South Africa.She said playing on the same day as her older brother would be amazing."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," Amarante said."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."Black Ferns on debut Amarante Sititi, Elinor-Plum King and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a - The O’Reilly Cup - New Zealand Black Ferns v Australia Wallaroos at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand. Saturday 22 August 2026 the © Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nzBrett PhibbsThe pair are the children of former Samoa loose forward and captain Semo Sititi, who played 59 tests for Samoa between 1999 and 2009.Semo arrived in Johannesburg last night and will be on hand to watch his children at Soweto's FNB Stadium, where about 90,000 fans are expected."It wasn't planned that he was going to be here," Wallace said."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."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."The siblings had dinner with their dad last night, and he imparted some familiar fatherly advice."He said just to play my game and just be myself," said Amarante."That's his advice to me every game, to be myself and not be pressured by any outside noise."This match against the Springbok women will be Amarante's second test for the Black Ferns, with Wallace set to bring up his 22nd test for the All Blacks.