Springbok captain Siya Kolisi dismisses the notion that the youthful England squad will be easily dominated in the upcoming Test match at Ellis Park this Saturday. He anticipates a challenging game that will be won or lost in the trenches of set-pieces, where England has historically excelled.
"It’s going to be a tough game. The contest between us and England usually starts up front, at the set-pieces, and England take a lot of pride in how they operate there. We’ll make sure our forwards are ready, especially at scrum and lineout. That’s going to be massive," Kolisi remarked during a Friday media briefing.
When probed about a past incident involving England's Tom Curry and Bongi Mbonambi during the 2023 World Cup semi-final, Kolisi skillfully dodged the controversy.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’d honestly forgotten about that,"
he commented, clearly focused on the present rather than past grievances. "A lot has happened since then. It’s a new game. If you’re still thinking about something like that, it means your mind isn’t in the game, so we’ve moved on and we’re excited to play against a tough team."Kolisi also expressed his respect for Curry, describing him as one of the fiercest competitors he has faced. "He’s one of the toughest opponents I’ve ever played against. He’s a special player, and I’ve always enjoyed playing against him. Tomorrow will be no different."
Addressing the public sentiment that England might not be fully prepared, Kolisi remained unperturbed. "Luckily, we listen to our coaches. We’ve played rugby for a long time and we’ve been written off before, so we know what that feels like. But we’ve prepared like we do for any Test match."
Ellis Park holds sentimental value for Kolisi, marking the venue where he debuted as Springbok captain in 2018.
"When I think of Ellis Park, I think of ’95, how big that moment was, not just for rugby but for South Africa as a whole. So many of our dreams were born there,"
he reflected, invoking the iconic 1995 World Cup final played at the same venue.As history looms over the upcoming match, the Springboks aim to forge new memorable moments at this storied stadium, carrying with them the legacy of past legends and the dreams of future generations.
The stage is set for what promises to be an epic encounter, echoing the deep-seated rivalry and mutual respect between these two formidable rugby nations.