Siya Kolisi paranoid over Springbok selection
Captain Siya Kolisi has had a sensational Springbok career, leading the green and gold to two successive World Cup victories
During which, the 33-year-old has collected ninety-two caps since debuting in June 2013 under Heyneke Meyer’s command, during which he’s enjoyed emphatic spells at Western Province, Stormers and Sharks.
While the Gqeberha native will always be a South African icon, there’s a cloud of uncertainty surrounding his Springbok future as competition for starting spots heat up – Rassie Erasmus has tried and tested over eighty players in preparation for 2025’s schedule.
Following Sharks’ comeback victory over Ulster last weekend, Kolisi acknowledged the fight for Springbok positions, saying, “It’s big for our country, it’s big for us as a group, and a lot of us are fighting to make the national team.”
This isn’t the first time Kolisi has alluded to the fact that his time is running out.
Earlier in the season he said, “to be honest, I’m not thinking about the captaincy. I just want to make the team,
“The most important thing for me is to have the chance to play for the Springboks. Whether I’m captain or not is not in my control. I just want to play well enough to be part of the team, and to hopefully make it to the 2027 World Cup.”
Meanwhile, South Africans were in fine form, all claiming victories as the Bulls defeated Glasgow Warriors, the Lions rampaged past Connacht, the Stormers hammered Benetton, and the Sharks scored 22 unanswered points to beat Ulster.
It was also a good weekend for the Welsh regions, with the Dragons being the only team that did not win in Round 16, falling to the Ospreys, while Zebre drew with Edinburgh.
It was rather fitting that youth shone on kids round in the URC, so without further ado, here’s our Team of the Week.
