‘They will have to take it’ – Siya Kolisi not giving up without a fight

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says he will fight for his place in the team with new talent emerging.

The 32-year-old flanker has been out of action following an ankle injury. Since joining French side Racing 92 late last year, the two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain has suffered back-to-back injuries. In March, Kolisi had surgery on a finger in his right hand after picking up an injury against Bordeaux-Begles.

He returned to action in April but was forced off after just 22 minutes against Toulouse. It was later revealed that Siya Kolisi suffered an ankle injury. His Boks captaincy is hanging by the balance as the team seeks to rebuild from the 2023 World Cup triumph.

With the start of a new World Cup cycle, Boks coach Rassie Erasmus will bring changes. Speaking to supersport.com, Kolisi said his dream was to play another World Cup.

“Right now, the focus is on making that group and making sure we do well in the tests we play and it’s always the ultimate dream, to play in another World Cup and win another World Cup for the country. But ultimately it will show how the body feels and how the mind is when we get there,” Kolisi told supersport.com 

Siya Kolisi could lose Springbok captaincy

“That is what we want, that is our dream. But as you said the guys playing in South Africa are playing very well now, and it will be a challenge. If we don’t play better than them, then we will have to think about passing on the jersey.

“But saying that we are definitely not going to give it up, we won’t give up the jersey easy, they will have to take it.”

Having played 83 matches for the Springboks, Siya Kolisi is just 17 test matches away from reaching 100. He has led his country more than 50 times but might not be captain in the next few months. The former Stormers and Sharks star is not worried about losing his captaincy.

“As long as I still have the opportunity to put on that green and gold jersey, that is all that matters. There are few people who dream and say they want to be Springbok captain,” Siya Kolisi said.

Boks back to action next month

“It has been an honour, as tough as it was, to be captain and all I want to do is to wear the jersey. No matter if I am captain or not.”

The Springboks play their first match of the year next month against Wales. Siya Kolisi’s Springbok side has not been in action since winning the Webb Ellis trophy last year in October.