Siya Kolisi. Photo: BackpagePix via Steve Haag Sports

Siya Kolisi. Photo: BackpagePix via Steve Haag Sports

Sharks coach: Kolisi is the ‘form loose-forward in the world!’

Sharks coach Sean Everitt has welcomed the return of several Springboks, including in-form Bok skipper Siya Kolisi.

Siya Kolisi. Photo: BackpagePix via Steve Haag Sports

Siya Kolisi. Photo: BackpagePix via Steve Haag Sports

It’s been a gruelling year of rugby for Kolisi, who started in all 13 of the Boks’ Tests this year, and he now returns to the Sharks’ run-on XV for Friday’s highly-anticipated battle against the Bulls.

There might have been an element of youthfulness about the Sharks in the early rounds of the United Rugby Championship, but coach Sean Everitt has wasted no time in bolstering the side with the available Springbok contingent.

Kolisi returns to Sharks colours

Back in the side are Kolisi and the Sharks’ inspirational leader Lukhanyo Am, along with Test wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Sbu Nkosi, while hooker Bongi Mbonambi makes his debut in the black and white jersey, having been signed from the Stormers

“We’ve picked a formidable team this week, although not all our strongest players are available,” said Everitt after naming the team on Thursday.

“If you look at our loose trio, Jeandre Labuschagne comes in at blindside flank. We rate him really highly at the Sharks.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t get a lot of game time this year due to unforeseen circumstances but we sent him to the Cheetahs and he certainly displayed the form we were looking for.

“He brings a different dimension to the loose trio. Siya Kolisi is probably the form loose-forward in the world at the moment, so it’s great that we could select him at openside flank.”

Sharks coach explains selection of Am at inside centre

“We felt that Jeremy Ward has played his best rugby at 13. I have coached Lukhanyo before, and he did a very good job for us in the Currie Cup in 2017 at inside centre, and I’d just like to have a look at that combination.

“It’s great that we can give him that opportunity at 12 alongside a young flyhalf (Chamberlain). He (Am) does bring playmaking ability into that position, and he leads the defence in the team.

“It’s great that he can lead it from inside centre.”

RATINGS: HOW BOKS PERFORMED IN 2021 – KOLISI AND DE KLERK