Springboks favourites? Siya isn't buying the hype
VIDEO: The Springboks may enter Saturday’s Nations Championship opener against England as overwhelming favourites, but captain Siya Kolisi insists nobody inside the South African camp is buying into the hype.
With Ellis Park, a settled squad boasting more than 1,000 Test caps and a nine-match winning streak behind them, many have tipped Rassie Erasmus’ side to extend their dominance over Steve Borthwick’s England.
Kolisi, however, says the Springboks have learned never to underestimate any Test opponent.
“We’ve been written off before and we know what that feels like,” Kolisi said.
“So we never walk into any Test match feeling like we’re definitely going to win.
“If we thought that, we wouldn’t have prepared the way we’ve prepared this week.”
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Instead of listening to outside predictions, the Springbok captain says the squad’s focus has remained solely on Erasmus’ messages and analysing England’s strengths.
“We haven’t been listening to that,” he said of South Africa’s favourites tag.
“We’ve only been listening to our coaches.
“We’ve seen what they’ve [England] done in their competition, and we know the form they’re in, so we’re not in that mindset at all.”
Kolisi believes England’s squad has been selected almost entirely on form rather than reputation, pointing to the strong Northampton Saints contingent after their successful domestic campaign.
“For me, they’ve picked guys on form,” he said.
“Most of the guys are from Northampton and they just won the league. The connection between them is going to be one of their biggest strengths.”
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The Springbok skipper also rejected suggestions that England’s relatively inexperienced squad should be viewed as a weakness.
“Experience don’t always matter,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity for somebody else to play.
“A lot of those guys are experienced. I’ve played against many of them for years. There’s enough experience in that group, and no coach takes chances. He believes in the players he’s selected.”
Kolisi also admitted that competition within the Springbok squad ensures nobody can afford to become comfortable, regardless of experience or reputation.
“You’d be silly if you sat comfortably,” he said.
“If I don’t play, the next guy comes in and I want him to do well because when I get my chance again, I know where the standard is.
“It’s healthy competition and that’s what keeps everybody on their toes.
“Experience means nothing if you can’t do the work on the field.”
