'We know who we are': Kolisi claps back at criticism of Boks' playing style
INTERVIEW: South Africa captain Siya Kolisi backed the Springboks’ playing style despite criticism from outside the camp ahead of the Greatest Rivalry series decider in Baltimore.
The evolution of the Boks under Rassie Erasmus is clear-cut since taking the reins in 2018, when they were labelled as “boring and predictable” for playing a basic style of kicking, set-piece dominance and solid defence.
Yet the Boks won the World Cup a year later with that exact style, and the foundation was laid for the long run to add strings to their bow, which led to a 2021 British and Irish Lions series win, Rugby Championship trophies, and a fourth World Cup in 2023.
During last year’s Rugby Championship and the 2026 Nations Championship, the Boks played an exciting attacking brand without compromising on the foundations laid back in 2018.
In 2025, the Boks gave the All Blacks a record 43-10 hiding on their home soil and went unbeaten on their end-of-year tour after defeating Japan, France (with 14 players), Italy, Ireland and Wales.
*Also read: South Africa v New Zealand – Teams and Prediction
During this Greatest Rivalry series, we haven’t seen the Boks hit their straps all that much on attack, which sparked criticism from local and mostly overseas fans and pundits.
For Kolisi, those things are all irrelevant as long as the Boks continue to be on the right side of the scoreboard after the final whistle blows.
“The expectations we go on about are what we want from each other; what anybody says about is outside our circle doesn’t really matter,” Kolisi said.
“We do what works for us, we know who we are, and we stick to the way we play, so we will play the Springbok way, and that’s not just one way.
“You’ve seen what we’ve done through the years; we can play a tight set-piece and kicking game, and we’ve guys who have freedom in the team; our system is created for us to play with freedom.
“That’s why we have guys like Kurt-Lee [Arendse] and Cheslin [Kolbe] on the outside and guys like Damian [Willemse] who can use their feet.”
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Kolisi elaborated how the Boks’ system is designed for players to flourish within the structures.
“Our system doesn’t say ‘play this way’; it just creates opportunities for us to play. If people don’t like the way we play, it is what it is; we’re not going to change because of that.
“It works for us, as long as it’s working, and if it doesn’t work, the coaches will change it and find a better way of playing.
“I’m sure New Zealand feel the same about their side regarding their style of play, and they’re not changing from it.”
The skipper touched on what it’s been like to play the All Blacks three times consecutively heading into a fourth Test against the same opposition.
“We’re growing and learning on the go. This is a tough series; you play the same opposition four times, so they get to know you as you go and you also get to know them.
“You have to find other things, ways and weaknesses in them that you can exploit, but now we’re playing almost a new team compared to last weekend in Soweto and Richie [Mo’unga] also brings a different dynamic to their team.
“This weekend might be different from the other three games; it’s always exciting, but the physicality hasn’t gone away; it’s been hard on the body.”
