Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi has acknowledged that his form isn’t yet where he wants it to be for the B&I Lions Series but his coach Sean Everitt insists he’s getting better every game.
Former Bok captain: ‘SA Rugby operating a class system’
Speaking before the Sharks’ Rainbow Cup match against the Lions, Kolisi said that he has still yet to find the form he showed in 2019 when he led the Springboks to World Cup glory.
‘Every game I play now counts. If I’m honest, I’m not yet where I need to be. If my performances aren’t good enough then I know for a fact that I won’t be chosen.
‘That’s why I’m just focusing on playing well for the Sharks and working as hard as I can to be part of the Springboks. It would be a huge honour to be part of the team that faces the British & Irish Lions.
‘All my energy is going into making the team again. I’m enjoying what I’m doing again and that is the most important thing.’
Kolisi believes that following the World Cup victory, his form dipped when he returned to the Stormers, but that he’s starting to find his groove again at the Sharks.
‘Before the most recent two games I’ve played [for the Sharks], the last genuinely good game I played was the World Cup final. Since then I haven’t really performed as well as I could have.
‘For me to already be thinking about the Lions would be madness, despite how much I really want to be there. That’s why I’m selfish enough to say I’m going to focus on myself now and I know I can perform better for my team’.
Kolisi’s coach at the Sharks, Sean Everitt, feels that he is improving week on week for the franchise and has little doubt that the Springbok captain will soon be hitting his straps.
‘He’s adapting to the style of play and his contributions in the game are getting better and better. You will have noticed that his conditioning improved a lot and he got through 70 minutes of work [against the Lions].
‘We’re happy with where he is and how he’s been able to push through. You may think he doesn’t make many contributions, but when he makes them they’re hugely effective and they do influence the game.’
