Springbok and Stormers star Siya Kolisi expects that local derbies in the URC will be “on fire” next season as a result of the influx of South African players from Japan.
He was speaking ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Italy and after the news of Pieter-Steph du Toit’s return home after five seasons in Japan’s Rugby League One.
The 34-year-old Du Toit has become the latest South African to part ways with his Japanese club, following Malcolm Marx and Kwagga Smith, who have joined the Bulls, and Manie Libbok, who has joined the Sharks for 2027-28.
Fellow World Cup-winning Bok Cheslin Kolbe also rejoined the Stormers this season from the Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.
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“It just shows, home will always be home and there’s nothing better than home,” Kolisi told reporters from Turin. “I’m glad that the guys are coming home, and I think the South African people, the way they’re welcoming them back, are too.”
Du Toit represented the Sharks (2012-2015) and Stormers (2016-2021) before joining Verblitz five years ago, but his next destination is as yet unknown.
Kolisi, who played with Du Toit at the Stormers and Western Province, added: “I’m not sure where Pietie is going – Cape Town, Boland [laughs]!
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“It’s good for the Springboks as well, obviously. If you think about the South African guys who are coming up and learning from Pietie and Kwagga … it’s really huge. I’m excited.
“The SA derbies, that’s going to be tough,” the Bok skipper noted. “I don’t know how that’s going to go next year, because all the teams are getting stacked.
“So ja, URC season is going to be on fire next year.”
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post Kolisi happy to have Pietie back home appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok and Stormers star Siya Kolisi expects that local derbies in the URC will be “on fire” next season as a result of the influx of South African players from Japan.
The post Kolisi happy to have Pietie back home appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
