Kolisi reveals how Boks can rewrite history against Wales
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi believes his team’s newfound knowledge will secure a rare win over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Springboks have been in fine form in the last few years, securing the 2019 World Cup and 2-1 series win over the British and Irish Lions.
And at the back of an incredible 31-29 win over All Blacks during the Rugby Championship, the Boks shift their focus to Wales, who require all their attention captain Siya Kolisi admitted.
“It has been a year with ups and downs,” Kolisi told reporters during the virtual media briefing on Friday.
“We take confidence from our last game [against All Blacks], but we know this is a different challenge.
“We are really focused on this game against Wales because they need all our attention.”
#⃣YEAR-END SPOTLIGHT: South Africa and New Zealand’s see-saw battle at the top of the world rankings looks set to continue#Rugby 🏉@WorldRugby 🌐#WorldRankings🥇
🔗https://t.co/R35KNIXmBC pic.twitter.com/VxZAC5bRQ5— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) November 5, 2021
‘No soft moments’
Kolisi pinpointed what the Boks need to do to end their losing steak in Cardiff which stretches back to 2013.
“We have spoken about a couple of things as a group, we have been outsmarted at times in the past.
“But we have a full-strength team and we know what we need to bring on the day. As a team and individuals, we have worked as hard as we can to give ourselves a good chance on Saturday.
“Wales are a tough team who don’t stop for the full 80 minutes, they don’t go away, and that’s why our bomb squad is so important to us.
“We saw in the semifinal at the World Cup, and every time we played them, they are a smart team who play a similar game to us. Physically we know that we have to up there for the full 80 minutes.
“You can’t have a soft moment, so it will be about which team can maintain the intensity.”
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick shared Kolisi’s sentiments.
“We have not beaten Wales here in several years, so it is going to be a tough outing, and we have to step up.
“They are a team that do not go away. In the World Cup, we beat [19-16] them in the last two minutes of the game, so we have to be at our best when it comes to the physical side of the game.
“They won’t change much, but if they want to play a running game, they can do so. They have top quality players too and the conditions here are different so that is something we have to adapt to as well.
“But in the end, it will come down to using our opportunities well.
“We have prepared well and we need to go out there and give it our best.”
@leezil07
@rugby365com
