Kolisi: BaaBaas clash a 'proper Test match' for Boks
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says the mere fact that they will be wearing the Springbok jersey against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday makes it more than just an exhibition match.
South Africa will open a blockbuster international season against the famous invitational side, while the SA ‘A’ side will take on Zimbabwe in the curtain-raiser at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
*Also read: South Africa v Barbarians – Teams and Prediction
Speaking during the captains’ press conference on Friday, Kolisi highlighted their objectives for the game against an opposition known for its caution-to-the-wind, often unstructured, and attack-focused approach.
“For us, it’s never a festival game; we are playing a proper Test match. We are playing for South Africa, after all.
“Guys are getting an opportunity, and it is our first game, so we want to make sure of the result.
“We want to implement everything we did during the off-season and in the week. We are playing for positions, so it’s a Test match for us,” Kolisi said.
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He explained that regardless of the international-heavy make-up of the squad (there are 19 international players in Scott Robertson’s team), the fact that the BaaBaas only train together for a short period means they have different focuses.
“I think the focus has to be on you as a team and to focus on what you need to do.
“They have only been together for a week – I have played for the BaaBaas, you have a lot of good times earlier in the week, then later on you focus on expressing yourself.
“We also want to do that; our game allows us to do that.
“For us to stay disciplined in what we want to do, because the opportunity will be there.
“I think the match will be good for prep, but it will only be good if we do what we plan to do; play Test-match rugby and do what we need to do.”
Given the venue of the first competitive assignment of the Boks’ season, Kolisi – who was born in Zwide – was naturally asked about his homecoming after missing out due to injury last season.
“I am very excited to be here” he said when asked what it was like to be back in the Eastern Cape.
“It has been awesome being here and seeing friends and family. I don’t know how many of these opportunities I am going to get going forward. It’s always exciting coming here.”
The national skipper went on to share insights into the competition the younger players bring into the Bok camp and what drives the more experienced players like himself to remain hungry for growth.
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“There are still guys playing in the [United Rugby Championship] Final tonight. I think the depth is what keeps these guys hungry and growing.
“Nobody can be comfortable, and you don’t want that in a team. There might be a guy coming in who’s as good as you.
“In life, in sport, in everywhere else, you have a certain period of time, what you’ve done in that time is what you leave behind, and then the rest takes over.
“So, we always know the days come, but it’s really good to see how the Under-20s have raised the standard of our training.
“It’s been the hardest camp; the intensity has been so high, but the contributions of the youth have been amazing.
“They also see things differently than we see them, so good things are happening in this group.”
