South Africa’s flanker and captain Siya Kolisi defends a ruck during the first rugby union test match between South Africa and England at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, on June 9, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / MARCO LONGARI
Rugby: Kolisi wants complete performance against Scotland
Siya Kolisi has called on the Springboks to maintain their intensity for 80 minutes against Scotland in Murrayfield on Saturday.
South Africa’s flanker and captain Siya Kolisi defends a ruck during the first rugby union test match between South Africa and England at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, on June 9, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / MARCO LONGARI
The Springboks have shown glimpses of what they’re capable of in the two matches so played so far in their year-end tour and captain Siya Kolisi believes an 80-minute performance will be required if they are to prevail over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The men in green and gold were edged in the dying moments of their opening Test against England at Twickenham, before rallying late against France to find themselves in the right end of yet another dramatic finish.
Siya Kolisi calls for 80-minute performance against Scotland
Their next assignment is against a Scottish side that has been nigh-unbeatable on home turf, and Kolisi has called for his teammates to replicate what they have done – albeit in patches – against their two previous opponents.
“We want to improve in every match, but the ultimate goal is to do what we are really capable of over 80 minutes. I know it will come and we will be pushing for it this week,” she told reporters in Edinburgh on Friday.
Read: Scotland vs South Africa: Preview, kick off time, teams and live stream
Coach Rassie Erasmus has made two changes and one positional switch to the team that started in Paris, with RG Snyman starting at lock, which moves Pieter-Steph du Toit return to the back row in place of the injured Warren Whiteley.
The other change is in the backline, where Embrose Papier makes his run-on debut for the Boks, having played all his previous Tests from the bench.
The 21-year-old has just five caps to his name, and comes up against a seasoned international in Scottish captain Greig Laidlaw. However, Kolisi believes he will not be shown up for lack of experience, as he is surrounded by a couple of Bok veterans.
“He will have some very cool and experienced heads around him, such as Duane Vermeulen at No 8 and Handré Pollard at flyhalf,” said Kolisi.
“I think he has done really well for us when he came on off the bench – he is different kind of player, a running nine, and I am looking forward to see what he can do.”
The match kicks off at 19:20 (SAST).
