Sharks coach delighted with Kolisi’s debut

Sharks head coach Sean Everitt is delighted with Siya Kolisi’s try-scoring debut against the Vodacom Bulls on Friday evening.

Kolisi, who last month ended his 11-year association with the Stormers and Western Province to join the Sharks, made his highly anticipated debut in Durban as the Sharks cruised to a 45-12 victory over the Bulls.

The Springbok captain finished a flowing move with a try in the first half and looked full of energy before understandably fading in the second half and being substituted in the 50th minute.

Speaking after the game, Everitt said he was pleased with Kolisi’s performance, adding that the loose forward will need more time to adjust to the way the Sharks want their openside flanks to play.

‘I think the tackles that he missed were more system errors rather than individual errors but we are very happy with Siya,’ Everitt said.

‘His role at No 6 at Western Province was slightly different to what we have here. The No 6 role here at the Sharks means that your work rate must be more because you are playing a little bit closer to the ball.

‘So‚ he is adjusting and I thought he did exceptionally well and thought he did well for the first 40 minutes.

‘He was supposed to play the first 40 and come off but unfortunately [Sikhumbuzo] Notshe got a hamstring injury and had to leave the field early. That meant that we had to push Siya for a little bit longer but he is a fantastic rugby player and we are happy with his contribution.’

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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