Whether he’s playing the All Blacks or any other opposition, Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi says he gives ‘absolutely everything’ every time he puts on the green and gold jersey.
Kolisi was speaking at his captain’s press conference ahead of the Springboks’ Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Kolisi had come under criticism for his performances for French club Racing earlier this year, when owner Jacky Lorenzetti made some disparaging remarks about the flanker in June.
The 33-year-old, though, insisted he always gave his best for every team he represented, there was something special about playing for South Africa.
Whether he’s playing the All Blacks or any other opposition, @Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi says he gives ‘absolutely everything’ every time he puts on the Green and Gold jersey.
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) August 30, 2024
📽️: @Golfhackno1 pic.twitter.com/bsjo5AlkR0
‘When you put on that Springbok jersey, it’s a lot to play for’
“I try to be at my best wherever I play. If I don’t play well for my union or for my club, I won’t get selected to be here. Here it’s different. I can’t explain it. When you put on the Springbok jersey, it’s a lot to play for,” said Kolisi.
“The competition for positions is from the guys that are playing with you. It’s healthy competition. We are also helping each other. Marco [van Staden] is my best coach, Kwagga [Smith] is the same. Then you add on what we play for — the people of South Africa. People talk about how much pressure the game is … But coach Rassie [Erasmus] said to us in 2019, we’re in a place of privilege. We have the honour of representing the whole of South Africa. What you do with your talent … you can control people’s moods on Monday.
“I know how nice it is for people on Monday to go in the office and talk about how lekker the weekend was when the Springboks won. We think about all of that. It’s just different when you put on the Springbok jersey.”
On the rapid rise of Benjamin-Jason Dixon, Kolisi used him as an indicator of the strength of Springbok rugby and in the loose forwards in particular.
“When the coach talks about guys taking their opportunities you just have to look at what BJ has done.
“That’s the kind of competition I’m talking about, you can never relax in a Springbok jersey. You can’t feel comfortable just because you’ve earned so many caps. There are guys that are coming. We are lucky in South Africa we have so many loose forwards. Every time I have the opportunity to play, I want to give absolutely everything because I don’t know if I’m playing the next week or not.”
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick then added to Kolisi’s answer by saying: “You forgot one thing — there’s no place like home.”