Shifts in jersey numbers might befuddle some, but not Siya Kolisi. The Springboks' captain is swapping his usual No 6 for No 8 this Saturday against the Wallabies at Ellis Park, but insists it’s business as usual. Kolisi, generally seen wreaking havoc as an openside flanker, will anchor the back of the scrum in the much-anticipated Rugby Championship kickoff.
Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Boks, spilled the beans on this tactical tweak earlier in the week. "The more we practised and prepared, we realised the only time Siya really plays at eight is during scrums, and scrums happen maybe 13 or 14 times a game. General play happens far more. Australia are a huge threat at the breakdown, and Pieter-Steph [du Toit], Marco [van Staden] and Siya are really strong there.”
Kolisi, who is set to earn his 94th Test cap, shared that his duties on the field wouldn’t see much of a shakeup.
"My role will change slightly in the lineouts and the scrums, but other than that I’ll be fulfilling my usual role,"
he commented. Despite his history at No 8 with the Sharks, Kolisi admits that the national team demands a different approach. “I’m also not the same type of player as Jasper [Wiese] or Duane [Vermeulen] in terms of my size, so I’m going to give what I can offer.”
The breakdown battle is where Kolisi believes the game could be won or lost. “Myself, Marco and Pieter-Steph have an important job, although breakdowns are a team effort.” He also cautioned against underestimating the Wallabies, who recently impressed against the British & Irish Lions.
"We saw how they played, and we’ve been in the position they are now. It would be foolish to think they won’t throw everything at us."
The focus in the Bok camp remains squarely on the Australian challenge, with thoughts of New Zealand on hold for now.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick confirmed a last-minute roster switch, bringing Boan Venter into the fray as Jan-Hendrik Wessels nurses a training knock. “Jan took a knock at training, and we didn’t want to risk him. Boan has been with us for several weeks and fits into the structures well. This is a great opportunity for him,” Stick noted, underlining the depth and readiness of the team.
With strategies laid bare and muscles flexed, the stage is set for a showdown that promises to keep rugby aficionados on the edge of their seats. As the Boks gear up to face Joe Schmidt’s formidable Wallabies, the rugby world watches with bated breath.
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Shifts in jersey numbers might befuddle some, but not Siya Kolisi. The Springboks' captain is swapping his usual No 6 for No 8 this Saturday against the Wallabies at Ellis Park, but insists it’s business as usual. Kolisi, generally seen wreaking havoc as an openside flanker, will anchor the back of the scrum in the much-anticipated Rugby Championship kickoff.
Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Boks, spilled the beans on this tactical tweak earlier in the week. "The more we practised and prepared, we realised the only time Siya really plays at eight is during scrums, and scrums happen maybe 13 or 14 times a game. General play happens far more. Australia are a huge threat at the breakdown, and Pieter-Steph [du Toit], Marco [van Staden] and Siya are really strong there.”
Kolisi, who is set to earn his 94th Test cap, shared that his duties on the field wouldn’t see much of a shakeup.
"My role will change slightly in the lineouts and the scrums, but other than that I’ll be fulfilling my usual role,"
he commented. Despite his history at No 8 with the Sharks, Kolisi admits that the national team demands a different approach. “I’m also not the same type of player as Jasper [Wiese] or Duane [Vermeulen] in terms of my size, so I’m going to give what I can offer.”The breakdown battle is where Kolisi believes the game could be won or lost. “Myself, Marco and Pieter-Steph have an important job, although breakdowns are a team effort.” He also cautioned against underestimating the Wallabies, who recently impressed against the British & Irish Lions.
"We saw how they played, and we’ve been in the position they are now. It would be foolish to think they won’t throw everything at us."
The focus in the Bok camp remains squarely on the Australian challenge, with thoughts of New Zealand on hold for now.Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick confirmed a last-minute roster switch, bringing Boan Venter into the fray as Jan-Hendrik Wessels nurses a training knock. “Jan took a knock at training, and we didn’t want to risk him. Boan has been with us for several weeks and fits into the structures well. This is a great opportunity for him,” Stick noted, underlining the depth and readiness of the team.
With strategies laid bare and muscles flexed, the stage is set for a showdown that promises to keep rugby aficionados on the edge of their seats. As the Boks gear up to face Joe Schmidt’s formidable Wallabies, the rugby world watches with bated breath.