Pundits and fans will always have their favourite players, often not appraising them on their value to the team but their demonstrative perception.
However, the team often ranks and rates players very differently.
In an exclusive conversation on the Big Jim Show, a RugbyPass TV special, double World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi discussed which players he believes are most underappreciated.
When Jim Hamilton, the host, asked Kolisi who the most underappreciated Springbok in the World Cup-winning team was, he answered without hesitation.
“Damian de Allende,” he stated in reference to the athlete he believed was not receiving the recognition he deserved.
Kolisi added fullback Willie le Roux’s name right away.
“You know how many tries he has created for the team?” the Bok skipper asked quizzically about Le Roux’s role.
“He always sees stuff, long before [anyone else].
“In my first game back after my knee injury, against Wales [a World Cup warm-up match], when I off-loaded to Malcolm [Marx].
“Willie [le Roux], while the play is happening. He said: ‘Siya, come here. They are going to shoot [up] to me and I am going to give to you and you are going to go through.’
“‘[It happened] exactly how he said it.
“This is all happening while the game is on.
“He gave it [the ball] to me, I went through and off-loaded to Malcolm and he scored.
“It is crazy.”
Hamilton and Kolisi chatted about his move to Paris, reflected on the 2023 World Cup and why it was bigger than 2019, Kolisi’s relationship with Rassie Erasmus and so much more.
This is truly a ‘must-watch‘ special.
All you need to do is sign up for a free account on RugbyPass TV and watch the entire episode.
Below is a glimpse of what is in the interview.
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Siya Kolisi still dreams of Springboks, but aims to boost women’s game
Even though he recently guided his nation to a second straight Rugby World Cup victory, Siya Kolisi isn’t prepared to give up on the Springboks just yet.
The 32-year-old loose forward is currently playing for Racing 92 in Paris, and even though he struggles with the language barrier and the harsh winters in the north, he still wants to have an impact on the game.
Now an icon off it as well, Kolisi talked about his time spent in the past with the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Bill Gates, and Jurgen Klopp in a video interview that was posted this week on the RugbyPass website.
But the former Stormers and Sharks flank, who earned his 83rd Test cap in the 12-11 World Cup final triumph over the All Blacks in October, wants to continue playing international rugby – with the first Bok Test of 2024 against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld on July 6 – despite being in such demand outside of the rugby pitch as well.
However, he also gave an insight into the kinds of projects he aims to tackle after his career ends.
“It’s all about how good I’m playing – that’s it. Right now, all I’m thinking about is playing well here at Racing, and hopefully winning a title,” Kolisi told Hamilton.
“And hopefully putting on that Springbok jersey again. That’s it: that’s all that’s in my head right now.
“I want to work for my foundation – that’s what I want to do. I want to do speaking … I want to talk, I want to encourage people. I want to sit with businesses. I love fashion too. I’ve got a brand called Freedom of Movement (FOM) – it’s not my brand, I am part of the brand, and we are going to bring it to the UK.
“But I definitely want to make an impact in people’s lives. I want to help the women’s game, to be honest. I think more men like us as rugby players need to support women’s rugby in the same way that they support us.
“Speaking to sponsors, how do the girls not have their own boots? They are playing at the same level as us, working harder than us – and having to go to work and still play rugby. I don’t believe that’s right.”*
Kolisi was asked about the impact of the 2023 World Cup title, and he explained how the Boks try to provide hope to ordinary South Africans.
He spoke glowingly about Bok boss Rassie Erasmus’ ability to provide perspective to the players in that regard,
and how Erasmus had embraced the idea of changing the sport in order to make the team more inclusive of the nation’s citizens.
Kolisi continued, saying that Erasmus held him to a high standard as well and that he didn’t mind being substituted early in games’ second halves.
“I know why I sometimes get substituted at 45 minutes—when guys are subbed, it’s because I’m not as effective as I usually am. They win the game when Kwagga (Smith) enters. I’m secure enough to know that the team comes first, even though that doesn’t mean I like it. “I believe that set us apart from other teams during the World Cup,” he remarked.
“Some players would get p ***** off when they’re subbed off early. But we’ve had hard conversations as a group. That’s what I really enjoy, when we have honest and serious conversations. You get hurt, but you don’t take it to heart, you move on the next day.”
Kolisi scored his first try for Racing a few weeks ago in a 48-26 Champions Cup win over Cardiff, and explained that life in Paris was growing on him.
“It’s a big difference – two different worlds, coming here. But I am enjoying it.”
