Rassie reveals what Springbok jumper Siya will wear

VIDEO: South Africans have been wondering whether they will see their favourite captain, Siya Kolisi, run out with the familiar six on his back or eight when the Springboks return to action next weekend.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus answered that question, and a whole lot more, on Wednesday during a press briefing in Hyde Park where the team is staying this week.

Sharks coach John Plumtree moved the popular Bok captain to No. 8 in October last year for the clash against Munster in the United Rugby Championship. Kolisi has donned the eight on his back since then.

The Boks are in prep mode for their very first fixture of the season – against the Barbarians in Cape Town next Saturday.

The new-look Sharks loose trio meant Kolisi moved to the back of the scrum, and James Venter and Vincent Tshituka got the flank positions.

Asked if Kolisi will play six or eight, Erasmus jokingly said, ‘I hope he plays’ with a wink.

And then added: “He is a nice option for us at No. 8, like Kwagga [Smith], who is a six and an eight, with Evan [Roos] there, Jasper [Wiese] is close to being ready, Marco [van Staden] played there.”

Pointing to Kolisi, Erasmus said: ‘It’s more of a six position, that’s why we had Renzo [du Plessis] here. But with him, Marco, Kwagga, and Jean-Luc [du Plessis] are still there, who can play eight, seven flanker as well.

“So, I think, ja, mostly at No. 6,” Erasmus confirmed.

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Kolisi said it was special to be back in camp with the Springbok squad after the conclusion of the European competitions.

“We are excited to be back in camp, that’s number one. For a lot of us who have been here before, it’s tough to say goodbye at the end of the season.

“Playing here is not forever; at some point, it is going to end. And we appreciate it a whole lot more when you come.

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“When you see a guy like Lood [de Jager] back after such a long time, it’s special. It’s just different, I don’t know how to explain it.

“He greets everyone with a smile on his face, because he knows what it’s like when you are not here.

“And that’s the kind of environment that the management creates. It makes it like a proper family, a safe space for a lot of us, and that’s why we are able to work so hard. That’s why they can push us on the field.

“Training is hard. You look at the numbers that you get on the field in such a short period, it’s amazing.

“We are not looking too far ahead, we are trying through tomorrow.

“The training is as hard as games, even harder sometimes.

All they want from us, just give our best at all times, don’t worry about mistakes. No one makes a mistake on purpose.

“It’s good to be back and excited to play in the Eastern Cape again. People love rugby in the Eastern Cape.”