VIDEO: Kolisi explains how to get into Bok team
WATCH as new captain Siyamthanda Kolisi explains what is required to make the Springbok team.
The last two years have been nothing short of an apocalypse for the once proud nation – with a host of unwanted record defeats.
The slump under Allister Coetzee saw the Boks’ winning percentage drop to below 50 percent – just 11 wins in 25 Tests.
Of the 12 matches in 2016, Coetzee’s first year, they won just four (33 percent) and last year that percentage moved up 54 for the year – seven wins from 13 matches.
The result was the controversial axing of Coetzee (don’t for one minute believe the ‘resignation’ statements) and the appointment of Rassie Erasmus as coach and Director of Rugby.
Erasmus appointed Kolisi, who will become the first black player to captain the Boks in a Test – against England at Ellis Park next week.
Kolisi, when he fronted up to the media for the first time this week, said they are “very excited” about the season ahead.
It starts with a Test against Wales in Washington, United States, on Saturday.
While the team for the year’s opening Test will be captained by Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kolisi said the team and players have had a clear goal from the outset.
“From the first [Bok] alignment camp coach Rassie [Erasmus] made it clear what was required”,”Kolisi said.
“He came to us and told us: ‘This is how you make the Springbok team. This is what needs to be done’.
“When we went back to our unions, we knew what he was looking at, for us [to do] to make the Springbok team and what we needed to work on.
“We had communications every week.
“He reviewed our games in Super Rugby and he let us know.”
The Bok skipper said that from the sidelines it may have appeared as the players did not have good form.
“However, the things that were required of us to make the team, we knew exactly where we were at and what we needed to work on.
“It helped us as players to make it simple to know [to understand] what is required to make the Springbok team.
“We know we [the Boks] have been going through a rough patch and we want to turn that around.
“That is our main focus, to ensure we win the game on Saturday.
“That is what we worked towards this week. We have prepared very well and ensured the guys that are going to America are well prepare d.
“We haven’t focussed on England yet, because this game is as important as the next one.”
@rugby365com
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