VIDEO: Grobbies has more than earned his first start says Siya
TURIN, ITALY: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi doesn’t doubt that forward Johan Grobbelaar has earned his first start at hooker for the Boks against Italy in Turin on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulls hooker has been in sterling form for the Pretoria franchise in the United Rugby Championship and kicked off the season with a hat-trick of tries against the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld.
He now has the opportunity to take his game to the next level, and if all goes well, he could become a more regular feature in the Springbok team.
A huge physical battle is on the cards against the Azzurri, and Grobbelaar’s role in the set-piece and breakdowns will be key. Kolisi says the No.2 has been working tirelessly and deserves his opportunity.
“I’m excited for Grobbies. He has worked so hard, and he’s been part of the group coming in and out for a while. And he has shown that week in and week out when he has played for the Bulls, and playing and working with him has been exciting,” the captain told reporters at the Springbok hotel in Turin on Friday.
“He is such an amazing human being off the field, but on the field, he works really hard.
“He is one of those guys who doesn’t say a lot, but he pops up. And obviously, set-pieces are important; it’s what we are going to need this weekend.
“And he is very good at the breakdowns. He’s looking forward to the opportunity with the backing of the whole team and the coaching staff,” Kolisi stated.
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According to the captain, hooker Malcolm Marx has been helping out at training in preparation for the game this weekend.
“It is different not having Malcolm [Marx] there, but he has been at training, supporting, and helping where he can.”
Talking about the football field where the game will take place, which is the home of Italian giants Juventus, Kolisi said it will be a different feel from what they are normally used to.
“It looks like the fans will be much closer to the field and the Italian passion – we know the people here love their sport – so I think it is going to be exciting.
“It is going to be a lot different from what we are used to, but I am really excited.”
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick added that there was a good feeling among the players during their captain’s run on Friday afternoon.
“The experience of having our captain’s run there today was a nice vibe.
“Italian fans are very passionate, and with the crowd so close to the field, it is surely going to be a nice environment. It is two teams that are in a good space, coming off wins against France and Australia, so I think the occasion will be fantastic.
“The pitch is probably a bit shorter and smaller. The moment you are over the line, you have to put the ball down,” Stick explained, adding: “But the stadium is fantastic and to be able to play at the Juventus home ground, for us who grew up in a township and watching football, it is a great occasion.”
Stick and Kolisi then argued about the football teams they support. Stick is a Manchester United fan, while Kolisi says his blood is red for Liverpool.
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