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Siya Kolisi on the 2018 Bok game against England that 'changed my life'

South Africa's flanker Siya Kolisi (C) is tackled by England's flanker Brad Shields (L) and England's prop Alec Hepburn (R) during the international rugby union test match between England and South Africa at Twickenham stadium in south-west London on November 3, 2018. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
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As Siya Kolisi prepares to lead the Springboks for the 72nd time in the Nations Championship opener against England in Johannesburg, he has revealed the vital lessons he learnt while inspiring his team to a remarkable comeback victory in his first game as captain against the same opponents in 2018.

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The Springboks were 24-3 down at one point but stunned England with a fight back that earned a 42-39 victory. “That 2018 match was a huge learning opportunity for me, and it obviously changed my life. I remember it was very tough and emotional,” Kolisi told local media ahead of the Ellis Park clash on July 4.” I think the emotions got the better of me. I struggled a bit, but the team did well, and I had so many great leaders around me.”

“That was where I actually learned how to use the people around me. I remember England went 21 points up, and everybody looked at me under the posts. I said: ‘I have no answers.’ Then I looked at the guy next to me and asked: ‘Do you have something to say?’”

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Head coach Rassie Erasmus had appointed Kolisi, now 35, as the first black captain of the Springboks in their 127-year history in that match and it appeared the plan was going badly wrong. Kolisi revealed: “We were learning a new defensive system, and a lot was going on.

“Jacques (Nienaber) was standing under the posts, screaming at us not to stop doing what we were doing. Rassie has known me since I was 18-years old. He knew I would struggle at the beginning, and he put systems in place that allowed me to focus on what I needed to do. Now I’m able to share that with the other guys when they’re in the leadership group as well.

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Kolisi is excited about the young talent that has been added to the Bok squad ahead of the England game that will be played at altitude. “Complacency can creep in when there’s nobody there to take your place. That’s not the case with us.

“There are so many guys on the same level. We are competing, but at the same time, we are helping each other because the team comes first. When we trained with the Under-20 group, the intensity was really high because they are fearless and they don’t know what the limit is. What we’re seeing from them … Coach Rassie can call on them at any time now if something happens to any of us, and that’s a good thing.”

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EvilMockingJay 46 minutes ago
Antoine Dupont missing for now as Galthie names 33-man France squad

Oh yeah, i was meaning 8 in the starting 15 at Toulouse in top14. Wasn’t counting bench or CC or 6N ^^. That’s partly why I told you Galthié did not learn from what happened in 2023. When Dupont became available, bam, your going to Marcoussis. Like man, let him play with his club for a bit first don't trow him against national teams right away... Exactly the same situation as 2023…

I already know what is going to happen in 2027. Last (or the one before, you know, i don't see japanese team doing such a dirty move, but samoa ? Oh yeah, i’m clearly seeing that coming) pool match Dupont will get hit and will be out of the competition with another big injury. Probably not going to happen for NTK, because without Dupont he’s just not at international level at all and everyone saw it. Meaning will get something like Lucu (or Le Garrec)/NTK (because he wants so badly NTK on the field) and we will loose. Again. Lucu, Le Garrec, Jauneau and Jalibert—they’re nothing more than stopgaps for Galthié. He just wants Dupont and NTK, and that’s it. He’d make them play against the Boks or the All Blacks even on one leg. That’s pretty sad being unable to work with 9 and 10 jersey considering we are the nation with the most of international 9s possible. And everyone (except Ben Smith the troll) envy us MJ at number 10… as you said i would love to see both ST and UBB half-backs in the same match but it ain't gonna happen. I’m not a fan of the idea too put MJ at number 15 (did he ever took that place even in his club ?), his talent is more the one of a real fly-half than a full back. Would be wasting both his talent as 10 and Ramos precision for conversions, but that’s only my opinion since we never saw him play 15, maybe i judge him to harsh. Ain’t a problem against Australia (they are in a really poor state) but facing the Boks ? Naah, too experimental.



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