Siya Kolisi serious in great doubt but committed to Springboks no matter the outcome
Siya Kolisi has revealed that he would like to continue playing South Africa despite his impending move to Top 14 outfit Racing 92, but has not thought about continuing as the Springboks’ skipper.
After defeating the All Blacks 12-11 in Paris on Saturday to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Kolisi and the rest of the Boks team left for South Africa on Tuesday.
In response to a question regarding future Boks captaincy, Klisi stated he hasn’t given it much thought as to whether he
desires to stay in the position of leadership.
He replied, “I haven’t thought about it. Being a Springbok captain is undoubtedly a big deal, but the World Cup has been the most pressing issue.
“As captain, I don’t have much of an impact on the team; the guys in the leadership group are guys like Duane Vermeulen, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, and Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nché.
“The Springbok captain, whoever they choose, will always have my full support and fit right in. Everything depends on what you do while you’re there, so long as I get to wear the Springbok jersey, I’m content.
Still hungry to play at international level
Although he is set to further his career in France with Racing 92, Kolisi said he still has the hunger to participate at international level.
“Nothing will change, I will still be up for selection,” said the 32-year-old. “Whether I will be captain, I don’t know, that is up to the new coach, but what matters most is playing in the Springbok jersey.
“All that matters to me is getting selected. I hope the new journey (in France) goes well because I am looking forward to it.
Kolisi further disclosed that their victorious Rugby World Cup runs in France this year and Japan in 2019 were not just for the players, but for every South African.
He expressed his hope that South Africans everywhere would be motivated to pursue their dreams and realize that everything is possible by the Boks’ most recent triumph.
Kolisi praised the thousands of fans who greeted the Boks at the OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg upon their return, stating that it exemplified the essence of their mission in France.
