Bok skipper Siya Kolisi's true test next week: Siya Kolisi admits the knee injury that has kept him out of the Springbok jersey this year can only truly be tested once he goes into match-day combat.
The Springbok captain on Saturday was upbeat about completing his return to full fitness ahead of the team's departure for the Rugby World Cup.
Nothing, he insists can fully replicate match-day action but he's done his bit on the training field. “Our training has helped a lot. It is like a club rugby match. I'm not thinking about the knee. That is the most important thing. In our last training session it got heated in a good way. I forgot about my knee. I just got stuck in. It is a good sign.
“There is no way when I play I have doubts in my head. I can also tell the leaders in the group 'just take charge'. I can rely on other leaders. I can be open and honest because it is not about me. It is about what the team needs at a particular time.” He explained the team can gain a lot of confidence in the next two games. “The coaches want to see who makes the best connections but at the same time we want to play well and win.”
As ever, the captain was drawn into debate that transcends the sport. The vicissitudes facing South Africans in their daily life is a topic close to his heart and Kolisi again explained the great sense of responsibility the Springboks feel in easing the pain, however temporary.
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