Kolisi 'fetching' his Bok spot

 

The Kolisi of old was known for his robust, bulldozing runs.

 

However, Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer wanted to mould him into more of an openside flank type of player, where Meyer believed he lacked options for the national team.

 

Meyer viewed Kolisi and Marcell Coetzee as long-term alternatives to Francois Louw in the No.6 role, even though they didn't take on that character at their respective franchises at the time.

 

This is not the case any more as Kolisi is beginning to enjoy the role of securing ball for the Stormers in an openside position.

 

"My role has changed in the team, I have to be the workhorse, the guy who is securing the ball at the breakdown," Kolisi told a media scrum at Newlands on Thursday. 

 

Kolisi admitted he would like to be involved in carrying more often if he could, but said that the team comes first.

 

"Obviously I don't carry as much as I would like to, but that is just the sacrifice I have to make for the team, so I understand this, and I am going to do the best I can to secure the ball.

 

"I am getting better at it, its another dimension of my game, and if I am needed to carry, I will carry.

 

"At the moment im feeling pretty good, and I always go back to the coaches and ask if they are happy with what I am doing."

 

The wise Kolisi, understands the importance of having a balanced loose forward trio, and with Duane Vermeulen and Schalk Burger operating well in the carrier rolls, he sees no reason other than to fetch for the Stormers.

 

"We can't have three loosies carrying, someone has to do the cleaning," explained Kolisi. 

 

"The other two loosies are carrying well, gaining metres, so why take them away from what they are doing so well."

 

"And Im actually coping quite well with being an openside."

 

The loose forward department in South Africa is one with huge depth and fierce competition, and the role of No.6 may be exactly what Kolisi needs at his franchise as he looks to stake a claim for a Springbok jersey.

 

However Kolisi's focus right now is on the Stormers making the play-offs.

 

"I haven't thought that far yet [the Springbok squad], the Stormers right now is important for us. 

 

"At the moment I'm just Stormers focused and focused on winning the game this weekend."

 

"The rest of what I want to achieve individually will come through if we do well as a team."

 

Kolisi will have a big role to play this weekend against the abrasive Rebels with a fierce match-up against Sean McMahon. Added to that, there is rain predicted at Newlands on Saturday, and the breakdown will become ever more competitive. 

 

"We haven't done anything differently at training, our game plan works in the rain and when it's dry. But obviously you have to play tighter when its raining."

 

@andrewslamdunc

@Rugby365com