Siya Kolisi says that “hard conversations” as a Springbok group has meant that every player, himself included, accepts getting subbed is for the good of the team.
Arguably the most influential player to pull on the green and gold jersey, the 32-year-old solidified his status in South African rugby lore by captaining a golden generation of Boks to back-to-back World Cup titles after South Africa beat New Zealand in October.
He has also made an impact since joining Racing 92 this season, and scored his first try as the French Top 14 club secured a place in the last 16 of the Champions Cup with victory over Cardiff.
It was previously suggested that the loose forward may relinquish the Bok captaincy post-World Cup to focus on just playing for his country and the possibility of reaching 100 Tests.
During a wide-ranging interview with former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton on The Big Jim Show, the 83-Test Kolisi opened up on his international future while addressing his role in the Bok setup.
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“It’s all about how good I’m playing – that’s it. Right now, all I’m thinking about is playing well here at Racing, and hopefully winning a title,” Kolisi told Hamilton.
“And hopefully putting on that Springbok jersey again. That’s it: that’s all that’s in my head right now.”
Though it is partly a consequence of the Boks’ fabled Bomb Squad, Kolisi has only played 80 minutes in 12 of his last 33 Tests.
“When guys get subbed – I get subbed at 45 minutes sometimes – I know why: because I’m not as effective as I usually am,” said the Bok captain. “Then Kwagga [Smith] will come in, and they win the game.
“It doesn’t mean I like it, but I’m comfortable enough to know the team is more important. I think that was the difference between us and others [at the World Cup].
“Some players would get p***ed off when they’re subbed off early. But we’ve had hard conversations as a group. That’s what I really enjoy, when we have honest and serious conversations. You get hurt, but you don’t take it to heart, you move on the next day.”
Photo: Mike Egerton/PA/BackpagePix
