Kolisi steps right up for a great Test

Bok captain takes his role in his stride

Siya Kolisi is hoping to invoke the spirit that helped bring past success at Ellis Park when the Springboks clash with England in the first Test today.
The stadium has provided the stage and backdrop to some of the Green and Gold’s most stunning successes and Kolisi‚ in his maiden match as the country’s first black captain‚ hopes the Ellis Park crowd warms to another special occasion and replicate their familiar lively lustre.
“It is really special. They sing the whole anthem‚ equally. You see the whole of South Africa‚ the different races and different colours. It is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen.
“This one is special. We don’t play them often like we do the All Blacks and the Wallabies. This is a big occasion‚” Kolisi said about meeting England.
He is not allowing himself to read too much into the symbolism of also wearing the Springbok number six jersey at Ellis Park like Madiba did almost 23 years ago. Neither is he dwelling too much on the significance of his appointment as captain.
“I’m a calm guy. I have to make sure that I play well. If there is outside pressure it may be too much for me.
“The coach has made it simple for me. I just need to perform.
“When I first captained the Stormers I took everything on myself. Other guys from other unions will help. I’m just excited to be captain.”
Former long-serving Bok lock Bakkies Botha handed out the Bok jerseys to the players yesterday. It includes three newcomers in the starting team, in Aphiwe Dyantyi‚ S’Bu Nkosi and RG Snyman.
Kolisi was asked what he remembered from his debut against Scotland in 2013 and what advice he has for the new caps.
“I remember everything about my debut‚” said the captain.
“I was on the bench and I remember spitting water for no reason. I was really nervous. Then I was told to warmup. I didn’t need to warmup.
“As I went on Johann van Graan (then assistant-coach)‚ told me to forget about everything. I had trouble remembering things and he told me just to go and play my game.
“The ball just kept coming to me. It was a tough Test. We were behind. Jean de Villiers (then captain) said we had to score next.
“Scotland did and I was panicking. Jean just laughed. We came back and won the game. I asked him why he laughed and he said he couldn’t show how much he was panicking‚” said Kolisi.
“I’ll say to the new guys, ‘You are put here for a reason. There is something special in you’.”..

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