VIDEO: Kolisi opens up about Morne's wisdom
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi says Morne Steyn has been a valuable member of the Bok squad, even though he has not featured in the first two Tests against the British and Irish Lions.
For the series-deciding third Test in Cape Town, Steyn will be on the bench – after Elton Jantjies was dropped from the matchday 23.
Should Steyn, 37, take the field it would officially see him participate in back-to-back Lions Series tournaments.
He famously kicked the penalty goal that sealed the series victory in 2009.
“He has been amazing,” Kolisi told reporters during an online press conference on Friday.
“When I first started [playing for the Springboks] in 2013, I saw his energy and how much he loves rugby and he is still the same person.
“He is still hungry.
“He has been sharing a lot with the guys and he has been preparing the guys who have been playing.
“Now he is finally getting his opportunity and I am excited for him.
“He clams everyone down, he is a cool head.
“We need that, you can’t buy experience and I think his wisdom will be of huge value to us for this Test.”
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Kolisi speaks about Steyn’s real value
The aerial contest
The kicking game will be an area where Steyn can help the Boks on Saturday.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick believes it will once again be a key part of the game in the third Test.
“With the aerial contest, we always knew it’s going to be massive in this series,” said Stick.
“Some coaches are saying the Springboks are playing boring rugby. But if you go back to that 2017 series [in New Zealand] the All Blacks had more than 30 kicks in general play and they won that first game.
“Unfortunately, kicking is part of the game. If there are new rules where we are not allowed to kick, then we will try something else.
“We are looking forward to the contest and it’s going to be massive.”
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