John Dobson and Ruhan Nel hailed the impact that Siya Kolisi has already had on the Stormers, but “the rugby contribution” is what they’re after in Edinburgh on Friday night.
Kolisi, who linked up with the team in Galway last week after completing his national duties, will earn his 119th Stormers cap starting at openside flank at Hive Stadium in round two of the URC,
Dobson was impressed by Kolisi’s desire to play in the win against Connacht. He could’ve replaced the injured Evan Roos and Marcel Theunissen, but Dobson declined because of concerns over his hamstrings and the 4G surface at The Sportsground.
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Speaking from Scotland on Thursday after naming his team for this week, the director of rugby shared how Kolisi has developed since he last coached him while highlighting the 35-year-old offers the team something different at six.
“Rugby-wise, we needed Siya. We have two other Springbok sixes in Paul [de Villiers] and Deon [Fourie], and neither was available this week,” Dobson told reporters.
“He’s not an out-and-out stealer; he gets turnovers through his tackling and counter-rucking.
“In terms of leadership, he’s got a big role to play, probably around the integration of the Springboks and setting standards. I could see him in the warm-up last week … His presence – just the smile and the songs and everything – lifts the team.
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“But there’s no question that the rugby contribution is what we’re after and what we need tomorrow.
“What I can’t get over with Siya, and it’s going to sound like a silly point, is the size of him. He’s an openside flank, maybe not the world’s most traditional openside flank, but he’s a big beast.
“He’s certainly a bigger man than he was when he left here. He’s a really big presence, and I think that’s going to be useful on the 4G.”
Nel noted that Kolisi was his captain when he made his Stormers debut, and described the way the two-time World Cup winner’s player management and team culture buy-in as “unbelievable”.
After the Stormers’ win in Ireland, clips of Kolisi and his fellow players celebrating with the team’s song ‘Impi yamaStormer’ went viral.
“It’s Siya, I don’t even have to rave about it,” the veteran centre said.
Photo: @THESTORMERS/X
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John Dobson and Ruhan Nel hailed the impact that Siya Kolisi has already had on the Stormers, but “the rugby contribution” is what they’re after in Edinburgh on Friday night.
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