When Siya Kolisi strutted onto the pitch last weekend, even a mere 24 minutes of game time was enough to make a statement. During a fiery Vodacom URC coastal derby in Cape Town, the flanker showcased his indispensability, despite the Sharks eventually watching him limp off. The match ended with a 30-19 victory for the visitors, and while Kolisi is Stormers-bound come July, his temporary impact didn't go unnoticed.
Sharks coach JP Pietersen couldn't hide his admiration for the Springbok captain.
"I think he was huge for us when he came on in the second half, with his leadership and his actions and what he did around the field,"
Pietersen expressed. The aura Kolisi brings to the field is palpable; his leadership is of the sort that can't be instilled through coaching alone. "You could see the way he was talking. He was massive for us in that time he was on. He gives belief and what he is saying makes people better around him," Pietersen added.
Despite the looming departure, Pietersen is focused on the present,
"It’s going to be sad for us seeing him go to the Stormers, but he’s still got a job to do for us until the end of the season."
The coach's sentiment reflects a mix of nostalgia and determination, embracing the leadership Kolisi continues to offer.
Turning the spotlight on another star of the game, Pietersen praised fullback Aphelele Fassi, who clinched the Man of the Match title. Fassi's performance was a key factor in handing the Stormers their first URC defeat of the season. "He was good. He’s got that X factor that any team wants," said Pietersen. Fassi's prowess isn’t just limited to his attacking skills; his technical abilities, including a solid kicking game and competence on the high ball, also received accolades.
Looking ahead, Pietersen anticipates a strong comeback from the Stormers in their next encounter. "They will definitely come back harder this weekend," he predicted. The challenge now is to maintain the momentum, "The challenge in rugby is always ‘Can you double up?’ and that is the thing. We will have a full go again. It is the same team we are playing, so we don’t have to completely change the plan, but we can tweak here and there."
Both the Sharks and the Stormers are set to announce their team lineups on Friday morning, setting the stage for another thrilling showdown.
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When Siya Kolisi strutted onto the pitch last weekend, even a mere 24 minutes of game time was enough to make a statement. During a fiery Vodacom URC coastal derby in Cape Town, the flanker showcased his indispensability, despite the Sharks eventually watching him limp off. The match ended with a 30-19 victory for the visitors, and while Kolisi is Stormers-bound come July, his temporary impact didn't go unnoticed.
Sharks coach JP Pietersen couldn't hide his admiration for the Springbok captain.
"I think he was huge for us when he came on in the second half, with his leadership and his actions and what he did around the field,"
Pietersen expressed. The aura Kolisi brings to the field is palpable; his leadership is of the sort that can't be instilled through coaching alone. "You could see the way he was talking. He was massive for us in that time he was on. He gives belief and what he is saying makes people better around him," Pietersen added.Despite the looming departure, Pietersen is focused on the present,
"It’s going to be sad for us seeing him go to the Stormers, but he’s still got a job to do for us until the end of the season."
The coach's sentiment reflects a mix of nostalgia and determination, embracing the leadership Kolisi continues to offer.Turning the spotlight on another star of the game, Pietersen praised fullback Aphelele Fassi, who clinched the Man of the Match title. Fassi's performance was a key factor in handing the Stormers their first URC defeat of the season. "He was good. He’s got that X factor that any team wants," said Pietersen. Fassi's prowess isn’t just limited to his attacking skills; his technical abilities, including a solid kicking game and competence on the high ball, also received accolades.
Looking ahead, Pietersen anticipates a strong comeback from the Stormers in their next encounter. "They will definitely come back harder this weekend," he predicted. The challenge now is to maintain the momentum, "The challenge in rugby is always ‘Can you double up?’ and that is the thing. We will have a full go again. It is the same team we are playing, so we don’t have to completely change the plan, but we can tweak here and there."
Both the Sharks and the Stormers are set to announce their team lineups on Friday morning, setting the stage for another thrilling showdown.