Siya Kolisi is excited for Cameron Hanekom to get a crack at the All Blacks on Saturday, as the Springbok skipper defends Rassie Erasmus’ constant player rotations, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
Amid all the talk around Kolisi’s return from injury, Pieter-Steph du Toit’s 100th Bok cap and late team changes, the selection of Hanekom on the bench for the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series has flown under the radar.
The 24-year-old Hanekom starred in a narrow win over Los Pumas in Argentina on 8 August, scoring a try in his third Test and second start in the green and gold.
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“I love Cammy. I think Cam is one of those amazing players, but I don’t think he knows how amazing he is as a player,” Kolisi said ahead of the clash between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium.
“The things that he’s done at the Bulls … I love watching him play. And when I play against him, I know how big, strong and fast he is.
“Against Argentina, I was so happy to see him [start],” he added. “I hope he can show us [more], and I know he will. He’s ready when he gets the opportunity to come on the field.
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“That’s the relationship we build with each other in the team – he’s a loose forward, I’m a loose forward, but I want him to do well.
“I’m excited for him to get an opportunity like this.”
Bok flanker Paul de Villiers, who made his senior debut this year and started all his four Tests so far, was dropped for Kolisi this week.
Critics argue Erasmus’ tinkering has started disrupting team cohesion, yet Kolisi explains how clarity from the Bok coaches makes understanding the bigger picture second nature.
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“Look at the talent that we have that’s coming through, like Paul, the way that he’s played when he had the opportunity,” the 35-year-old said.
‘I’ll give credit to the coaching staff. I think every time people don’t understand the rotation, but we do. They explain it to us.
“The coach also understands some guys are older, and playing them week in, week out is not going to help with that longevity.
“The ability for us to understand that, ‘OK, this is the plan for the team. I have my own goals, but they don’t align accordingly’ … That’s helped us mature.”
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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Kolisi backs ‘amazing’ Hanekom to boss Kiwis appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Siya Kolisi is excited for Cameron Hanekom to get a crack at the All Blacks on Saturday, as the Springbok skipper defends Rassie Erasmus’ constant player rotations.
The post Kolisi backs ‘amazing’ Hanekom to boss Kiwis appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
