Boks Siya Kolisi

The Springboks team to take on Wales. Photo: Twitter/@Springboks

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Kolisi calls for intensity, full focus from Boks

On the eve of the Boks’ Test against Wales, take a look at the key takeaways from the team’s latest press conference.

Boks Siya Kolisi

The Springboks team to take on Wales. Photo: Twitter/@Springboks

The Boks’ first encounter on the end-of-year tour will kick off at 19h30 SA time, and here’s what was said by captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick ahead of this all-important Test.

MUST READ | THREE SPRINGBOKS WHO WILL BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AGAINST WALES

Kolisi on the Boks’ season results to date:

“It has been a year with ups and down, but we take confidence from our last game against the All Blacks. This will be a different challenge we’ll be coming up against Wales, though. We’re focused on this game because Wales have earned our attention, we’ve lost so many times to them in the recent past. As a team we want to finish the year strong, and this first game is crucial in particular.

Kolisi on what makes Wales such a difficult team to beat at home:

“We have spoken about a couple of things as a group, we have been outsmarted at times in the past. But we have a full strength team and we know what we need to bring on the day. As a team and individuals we have worked as hard as we can to give ourselves a good chance on Saturday. Wales are a tough team who don’t stop for the full 80 minutes, they don’t go away, and that’s why our bomb squad is so important to us. We saw in the semi-final at the World Cup, and every time we played them, they are a smart team who play a similar game to us. Physically we know that we have to up there for the full 80 minutes. You can’t have a soft moment, so it will be about which team can maintain the intensity.”

Kolisi on former All Blacks prop Carl Hayman revealing he has early onset dementia aged just 41:

“I really feel for Carl and wish him well. I do think what World Rugby has been doing in terms of improving player safety has been working well, and the protocols are getting stricter and stricter each year to safeguard us. I think of the last game when I was injured, and how quickly people reacted. I know World Rugby and the medical staff have our best interests at heart.”

HEAD TO HEAD: KEY BOKS V WALES PLAYER MATCH-UPS

Stick on the selection of Damian Willemse to start at fullback:

“Damian has been waiting for this opportunity, I think back to him as 20-year-old starting at fullback in front of a packed Twickenham in 2018. I don’t doubt (Aphelele) Fassi will play many Test matches, but I think it’s only fair to now give a chance to Damian who has been waiting for this.”

Stick on who will be the favourites on Saturday:

“In the past six years we haven’t beaten Wales at home, so I’d say they will go into the game as favourites in front of their home crowd. It will be a big challenge for us to play here in their conditions.”

Stick on the continued questions about the Boks’ style of play:

“It doesn’t bother us, we just focus on our processes. People are entitled to their opinions, but we will never lose focus on what we are aiming to achieve. Last year was an opportunity missed where we couldn’t build depth (due to the pandemic robbing the Boks of international action, but now we have the chance to do that. We’re not going to change much in terms of our style of play even with a new scrumhalf coming in like Herschel (Jantjies). I’m looking forward to seeing him get a start, and to be able to control the game from the beginning rather than coming off the bench when his role requirements are different.”

READ | SPRINGBOKS V WALES PREVIEW: THREE THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN CARDIFF