Don't write off Siya Kolisi just yet
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Paul de Villiers has been one of the biggest success stories of the Southern Hemisphere leg of the Nations Championship.
The best compliment you can give him is that he doesn’t look like a newcomer.
Thrown into the deep end after being called up at the last minute to replace Siya Kolisi against England in the opening round, De Villiers embraced the opportunity with remarkable maturity. Where others might have been overwhelmed by the occasion, he played with the confidence, composure and work ethic of a seasoned Test veteran.
More impressively, it wasn’t a once-off performance.
He backed up his outstanding debut with equally impressive displays against Scotland and Wales, proving his first Test wasn’t simply a case of beginner’s luck.
What has stood out most is the work he does away from the spotlight.
He’s relentless at the breakdown, tackles with outstanding accuracy – missing just three of his 36 tackle attempts across his opening three Tests – carries aggressively and never takes a backward step in the physical exchanges. Those are exactly the qualities Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus demands from his loose forwards.
Beyond the physical side of his game, De Villiers has also displayed an outstanding rugby IQ. He understands when to slow the game down, when to attack the breakdown and when to remain in the defensive line. Those decision-making qualities cannot be coached overnight.
Unsurprisingly, his rapid rise has sparked debate over the Springboks’ No. 6 jersey.
Some have already suggested that De Villiers is ready to succeed Kolisi as South Africa’s first-choice openside flank.
However, that notion seems a little premature.
Ahead of naming his 26-man squad, Erasmus made it clear that Kolisi remains central to his plans, with the captain expected to return against Argentina on August 8 after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The setback saw the captain miss the Southern Hemisphere leg of the Nations Championship.
Pieter-Steph du Toit captained the side during Kolisi’s absence.
However, rather than seeing this as a battle for one jersey, perhaps it’s a sign of just how healthy the Springboks’ depth has become.
De Villiers has made selection significantly more competitive. Alongside Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden and the rest of South Africa’s world-class loose forwards, he has ensured that nobody’s place can be taken for granted.
That’s exactly where Erasmus wants his squad to be heading into the Greatest Rivalry clashes against New Zealand and, ultimately, the defence of the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
De Villiers deserves every bit of the praise coming his way. He has announced himself as a genuine Test player with the potential to become a Springbok great.
However, for now, double World Cup-winning captain Kolisi remains the heartbeat of the Springboks, and his influence on the team stretches far beyond what he does on the field.
Kolisi may not be the team’s primary breakdown specialist, but he is an exceptional ball carrier, a tireless defender and one of the best link players in the Springbok pack.
At club level, Kolisi has returned to the Stormers from the Sharks, signing a three-year contract that will keep him in Cape Town until 2029.
And at 35 years old, he is hoping to lead the Boks to an unprecedented third successive World Cup title in Australia next year.
Speaking on the Rassie+ podcast, the Bok captain revealed the advice coach Rassie Erasmus has given him.
“Coach told me not to compare myself to when I was younger,” Kolisi said.
“Just be the best player you can be at the age you’re at.
“When I can’t do it anymore, I’ll know, and he’ll know too.
“I don’t fear that day because I know I’ve given everything every time I’ve had the opportunity to wear this jersey.
“When the time comes it will hurt, but I’ll be able to sleep at night knowing I gave everything I had.”
De Villiers is undoubtedly one for the future, but Kolisi still has plenty of rugby left in him before he bows out.
