Lions cub Tom Curry up for renewal of hostilities with South Africa skipper Siya Kolisi

TOM CURRY made a name for himself in England by playing South Africa.

But today he can become a global superstar by taking down the Springboks and iconic skipper Siya Kolisi.

Lions cub Curry swapped shirts with the game’s first black World Cup-winning captain after the heartbreaking 2019 final defeat in Japan.

And the priceless piece of sporting memorabilia is framed in a secret spot.

Curry, who plays his first Lions Test in Cape Town today, told SunSport: “It is in a very hidden location that I won’t reveal.

“I doubt he has mine up, though. He is probably wondering if he can have his back. It was definitely me asking for his shirt.”

Before he had turned 20, Curry faced Kolisi four times in his first five caps — winning two and losing two.

So if there is one man who knows what it takes to play and beat the Springboks in their own backyard right now, it is the indestructible flanker who is still just 23-years-old.

Curry said: “I guess you could say there is a bit of experience but every time you play them, it’s a whole new game — physically and tactically.

“It is a proper historic game and when you get to tour here it is so special.

“South Africa is such a historic rugby nation. And facing the Springboks so many times was quite a big growth period for me as a player.

“I saw what it takes to play one of the most physical teams in the world.

“And then going from losing two games and then winning the first one on tour with England, I understood what it takes to beat them — that was pure consistency and physicality.

“You have to be at that for the whole 80 minutes and if you are not, then you know what happens.

“That was a really good learning curve for me.”

One man wrecking-ball Curry is going to be key to disrupting South Africa on the deck.

Kolisi’s boys are going to come at the Lions with plenty of fury as they play in their first serious Test match in almost two years.

As a nation, South Africa has been battered by Covid.

They then suffered the awful civil unrest just last week in Johannesburg and Durban as angry rioters looted shopping malls, set fire to factories and burned trucks after the arrest of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

So the Lions are not just taking on the Boks’ matchday 23 — but the whole 60 million who support them.

However, Curry might have an added edge into their psyche from playing with scrum-half Faf de Klerk at Sale.

Before packing his bags to link up with Warren Gatland’s side in Jersey last month, De Klerk poked the bear by telling Curry to be prepared for a Bokwash and a 3-0 series defeat. He even came under friendly fire from his own countryman.

Land Rover ambassador Curry said: “There was a little bit of chat. Marland Yarde even started calling me a Lioness.”

Now, though, Curry is known as one half of ‘Scrum and Bass’ after he formed a bizarre DJ partnership with Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong in South Africa.

And they will be looking to drop the bomb in Cape Town today against a side whose own “Bomb Squad” bench will no doubt have a major say in which way this one goes.

Tom Curry is a Land Rover ambassador. Keep up to date with Land Rover’s Lions Adventure @LandRoverRugby #LionsAdventure