Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'As personal as possible': Siya Kolisi ahead of England Test

By PA
Siya Kolisi (c) of South Africa during the South Africa men's national rugby captain's run at Merchiston on November 09, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Siya Kolisi admits “it’s always personal” as South Africa prepare to face an England side intent on revenge at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Springboks are aiming to inflict a fifth successive defeat on England in a rematch of last year’s stormy World Cup semi-final, which they won through a late Handre Pollard penalty.

The bad blood from a mighty physical confrontation in Paris lingers, exacerbated by the race row that erupted when England’s Tom Curry claimed he had been called a “white ****” by Bongi Mbonambi, an allegation denied by the South Africa hooker.

Video Spacer

The challenge with Marcus Smith & England’s pack | RPTV

Boks Office link up with For the Love of Rugby to discuss the Autumn Nations Series matches. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

The challenge with Marcus Smith & England’s pack | RPTV

Boks Office link up with For the Love of Rugby to discuss the Autumn Nations Series matches. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Kolisi insists the Springboks’ motivation is the same every time they step onto the pitch, knowing that winning successive World Cups has made them the game’s most sought-after scalp.

“It’s always personal. That’s just how we prepare ourselves for games,” South Africa’s captain said.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
17
26
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
20%

“It’s got to be personal. It’s another man trying to run through you in-game, it doesn’t get more personal than that. So every game for us is personal.

“This one, in Twickenham, is a big game and we know what England have been going through. We’ve been in their position before.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We know we’ve got a target on our back at all times. Every single team that plays against us…we’ve got to make it as personal as possible because we want to stay where we are.”

Marcus Smith has been England’s star player this autumn and Kolisi is full of admiration for the Harlequins fly-half.

“Marcus is amazing, you can’t deny that. I played against him in the European Cup and he is one of those gifted people who can do something when there is nothing happening,” Kolisi said.

“He’s young and if you stop him he’s going to keep on coming back and that’s what you want.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Most players try and try and then give up. He tries and tries and tries and keeps on trying. He is competitive, he wants to win at all times.”

Related

Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Stormers receive important injury update Stormers recieve positive Injury update
Search