John Goliath
THERE’S a feeling that Siya Kolisi hasn’t quite taken the next step since his thrilling debut season for the Stormers.
In fact, some people would say that he might have gone backwards in his growth as a player since that thrilling offload to Bryan Habana in a Super Rugby match at Loftus in 2012, and his outstanding outings for the Springboks in 2013.
It seemed like he was getting back to his destructive self with ball-in-hand in the Currie Cup last year following a terrible Super Rugby campaign, but an injury again curtailed the former Grey High pupil. So, at this point of his career, it looks like a World Cup call from the Springbok selectors is highly unlikely.
But there is hope for “The Bear”. Hope that started with his name being pencilled in to play in the No 7 jersey for the Stormers against the Sharks tomorrow night at Newlands.
It’s going to be Kolisi’s first start in 2015 after making two appearances off the bench in the victories over the Blues and the Lions.
Most importantly is the fact that the loose forward will be taking the field in his favourite position in the backrow. A position where he can express himself with the ball in his big mitts, while also knocking the block off a defender with a huge tackle. No 7 is his happy place, and not the openside role which the Springbok selectors think he is best suited to.
Tomorrow night he comes up against the man who basically owns that No 7 Springbok jersey at the moment. Willem Alberts, a tank of a man who likes smashing people into the ground with his massive shoulders, has been Heyneke Meyer’s main man when it comes to bashing opposition attackers or getting over the advantage line.
So tomorrow night at Newlands the expected crowd of close to 40 000 will have a front-row seat to the duel between two of the brutes of the South African game.
“Siya is back playing well again. Although at national level he is being looked at as a potential opensider, he is a natural ball carrier and is better suited to number seven,” Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said yesterday.
“Nizaam Carr is a player we are happy with at number six. Siya is happy to play at number six, but he doesn’t really enjoy it. It takes a lot of his natural ability and natural flair away.
“That’s why Siya is at seven, and hopefully he can show us what he can do. It’s important for a player like Siya to play a position that he enjoys. So I’m happy that he gets an opportunity.”
Kolisi comes in for Michael Rhodes, who hasn’t recovered from a knock to his knee against the Lions. Newlands icon Schalk Burger, who only started to train with the team on Tuesday, will play off the bench.
At hooker Bongi Mbonambi misses out after he injured his shoulder at training this week. He is replaced by Scarra Ntubeni, who started the first two matches of the campaign.
“Bongi was a late injury and unfortunately we have had to withdraw him and bring Neil Rautenbach onto the bench. Bongi has a grade 1 to grade 2 joint injury and it isn’t too serious. In fact, we were initially going to give him until tomorrow (Friday) to prove his fitness, but then decided to be conservative and save him for next week or the game on tour.”
The powerful Eben Etzebeth comes into the second row for his first match of the season after suffering a chest injury in a pre-season friendly against the Cheetahs. He replaces the injured Jurie van Vuuren (shoulder), while Manuel Carizza will also make his first start after the Stormers decided to give Ruan Botha the week off after he suffered concussion against the Lions.
“It’s always good to bring back players like Eben and Schalk, who understand the culture of the Stormers and who boast big-game experience,” Coetzee said.
On the bench, loosehead prop Alistair Vermaak gets a chance, as Coetzee wants Oli Kebble to start a match for the WP Vodacom Cup side tomorrow.