Rugby
Exclusive: There’s Still Fire In The Belly For Siya Kolisi To Play For The Springboks, Says Naas Botha
Despite personal challenges, Siya Kolisi remains pivotal for the Springboks, says Naas Botha. The rugby legend praises Kolisi's form, leadership, and impact on South African rugby.
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Despite his off-field issues, Siya Kolisi is still playing his best rugby for the Springboks insists former South Africa flyhalf Naas Botha.
Last month, Siya and wife Rachel Kolisi announced their ‘decision to end their marriage’. Turning out for the Sharks in a United Rugby Championship match a matter of days after the announcement, Kolisi did not seem to miss a single step as he produced another top performance.
The Sharks ran out convincing 41-24 victors over Munster, with Kolisi playing out of position at eighthman instead of flank.
Since then, Kolisi has been with the Springboks in preparation for their November tour fixtures with matches against Scotland (November 10), England (November 16) and Wales (November 23) scheduled.
Producing on the field matters most
Speaking about Kolisi has coped so far with his personal issues in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com.
“Things like that depends on the individual. Sometimes you use it as motivation. And the best comes out of you. I'm not too interested in anybody's business outside of the field. Only what they can produce on the field,” said Botha.
“And to be honest, for the last two years, he's really, really been playing extremely well for South Africa. And that's all we ask as supporters.”
He's a great captain. I think they did fantastically for South Africa in the last two World Cups. So they've done their job
Naas Botha
Kolisi nowhere near ready to hang up his boots
The 33-year-old Kolisi still had a major role to play for the Springboks, even with the next Rugby World Cup three years away, explained Botha.
“The thing is, there is a time to come and there is a time to go. It's definitely not his time to go yet. We can wait a little bit on that one.”
“It depends on the physical side. You know, a player will just wake up one morning … and we all do. And you just say, ‘This is enough’ At the moment, the way he's been playing, I don't think he can say it's enough. I still believe there's still a little bit of fire in the belly.”
“And as long as the fire is in the belly, you keep playing him. Because he's a fantastic captain. He's a great ambassador for South Africa.”
“And that's why I say, the off field [matters], that's his personal business. I'm interested on the field and he's great on the field.”
Top rugby nations far behind the Springboks
With the Springboks claiming the last two Rugby World Cup titles, and the 2024 Rugby Championship in convincing fashion, Botha felt it would be some time before South Africa could be challenged on their perch.
“I must be honest, I'm a little bit worried about rugby at the moment. Because I think we're one of the few teams that's really progressing worldwide,” Botha told SportsBoom.com.
“I think Rassie and the team is really thinking outside the box. I think they're doing a great job. We're a little bit on a level that's very difficult for other teams to get to.”
“Where South Africa is at the moment is absolutely fantastic. And it's great to see the pool of players that we have.”
I must compliment Rassie on creating such a big group of players that can play anytime, against anybody. And we will always have a chance of beating anybody
Naas Botha
Botha not a fan of Australia
With the international games in full swing, Botha also said England were unlucky to go down to New Zealand at Twickenham last week in London. The result, though, was not exactly a source of pain for the former number 10.
“And then last week, England, New Zealand … I was surprised that England didn't win that. I'm glad New Zealand won because I'm a Southern Hemisphere supporter. That's it.”
“As long as Australia, I don't like Australia that much … But Australia, Argentina, Fiji, South Africa, as long as we [Southern Hemisphere] keep winning, I just love it.”
Michael Sherman is an experienced sports journalist in South Africa with 15 years in the industry. Michael began his journey in sports journalism for the SA Press Association (Sapa) during the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa, before covering the local Premier Soccer League for three seasons and later specialising in cricket and golf.