Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Dan Biggar says it’s difficult to find a better international captain than Siya Kolisi.
Kolisi’s return helped spark the Springboks’ turnaround against the All Blacks.
The 35-year-old missed the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park as he continued his recovery from a hamstring injury, with Paul de Villiers stepping in.
The Boks lost 33-16 before Kolisi returned to lead the side to three successive victories in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore as they secured a 3-1 series triumph.
For Biggar, the contrast underlined the influence the 35-year-old has on the Springboks.
“In the first Test, they bombed a load of chances,” Biggar said on The Rugby Pod. “There are people who say: ‘Siya’s not the best player’ and all that. I thought he was amazing as a player, but it just goes to show the influence he’s got and all of those things they’ve achieved, he’s been captain of.
“McCaw was amazing and everything, but it’s hard to see how there’s a better international captain that we’ve seen.”
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Kolisi has now captained the Springboks to two World Cup titles and a British & Irish Lions series victory, while adding another significant achievement to his record with the series triumph over New Zealand. He’s also surpassed John Smit as the Boks’ most successful captain in terms of Test wins (56).
Biggar also pointed to the Boks’ ability to stay in matches through their set-piece, kicking game and aerial strength as key to their sustained success.
“Nobody has got a leg to stand on against this Springbok team,” he said.
“We all saw it, the All Blacks attack and the way that they move the ball and the way they took it to the Springboks was incredible, and they are going to be there or thereabouts in a year’s time.
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“But all these things we keep saying about them is because they are bloody good at the basics and they’ve got an amazing set-piece, amazing kicking game and amazing aerial game.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Biggar: Kolisi better than McCaw appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Dan Biggar says it’s difficult to find a better international captain than Siya Kolisi.
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