Kolisi Excited to Return for Match Against Georgia

Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi expressed his excitement about returning to the field with the Boks for the first time this season at Mbombela Stadium. He eagerly anticipates the “fantastic crowd” as they prepare to face Georgia on Saturday in their concluding Castle Lager Incoming Series match.

Kolisi – who made his Test debut at this very venue back in June 2013 against Scotland – compared the enthusiastic support in Nelspruit to the fervent fans in Gqeberha last week, where the Boks triumphed over Italy with a score of 45-0. He remarked that while the team expects a challenging match, each player is looking forward to the opportunity.

“Playing here is always incredible,” Kolisi noted. “The atmosphere at the stadium is fantastic, and we anticipate it will be similar to last week in Gqeberha, where the crowd fully engaged and inspired us. We are truly thankful for those who come to support us in the stadium. Their encouragement really boosts our morale.”

Reflecting on his return to the green and gold jersey after sitting out the last three matches due to injuries, Kolisi admitted that it has been difficult not participating.

“I would have loved to play, but just being part of the camp and reconnecting with the guys has been beneficial for me,” he mentioned. “The team’s environment is supportive on and off the field.”

The two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain dismissed media concerns regarding the Boks fielding an entirely uncapped front row, which includes props Boan Venter and Neethling Fouche, along with hooker Marnus van der Merwe all set to make their Test debuts. Kolisi stated, “I’m incredibly proud of the guys getting their first Test caps, and as a unit, we trust that there is sufficient experience in the team to support them.”

“They’ve been training against players like Ox (Nche), Wilco (Louw), and Malcolm (Marx), who have all played Test rugby before. Moreover, a scrum encompasses not just the front row but requires the contribution of everyone in the pack, and all team members understand their responsibilities.”

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick praised the Georgian team, emphasizing that the Boks recognize the toughness of their players and their passion for national representation, hence there is no chance of underestimating them.

“Georgia is a physically imposing team that takes pride in their set pieces, so matching that intensity will be our biggest challenge,” Stick remarked.

“Having visited Georgia, I’ve witnessed the tenacity of their players. Our primary goal is to consistently elevate our standards, and we coaches believe there’s still room for improvement, so we expect the players to execute the game plan effectively with the intensity we desire.”

Both Stick and Kolisi extended their best wishes to the Junior Springboks for their World Rugby U20 Championship final against New Zealand on Saturday, expressing pride in the team.

“We follow all their matches, and they are certainly bringing pride to the nation,” Stick shared. “It’s evident they understand the significance of representing their country, and what stands out is their fighting spirit and team cohesion. We’ll definitely be watching tomorrow and are fully behind them.”

Kolisi added: “They are undoubtedly setting a benchmark, and it’s inspiring to see how they are seizing their chances. Every player in the squad is fulfilling their role, and we wish them continued success while we keep cheering for them.”

The Bok Test kicks off at 17:10 and will be aired live on SuperSport, while the Junior Boks’ final in Italy starts at 20:30.