Kolisi Aims to Conclude ‘Special’ Year with Victory Against Wales

South Africa’s Siya Kolisi has participated in 91 international matches. The Autumn Nations Series match between Wales and South Africa is scheduled for Saturday, 23 November, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with kick-off at 17:40 GMT. Coverage will be available live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, and through live text and commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Siya Kolisi, the captain of South Africa, has stated that his team intends to conclude their successful international season by delivering a comprehensive performance against a Welsh side currently facing difficulties. The Springboks secured the 2024 Rugby Championship title, building on their World Cup retention from the previous year. South Africa has emerged victorious in 14 of their most recent 16 Test matches, with both of their two losses in this timeframe occurring by a solitary point. This month, they have achieved success in two European fixtures, first beating Scotland 35-12, then triumphing over England 29-20 last weekend. Nevertheless, Kolisi, who has captained his team to two World Cup victories, is of the opinion that his squad is capable of further improvement. Kolisi remarked, “It’s been a special year and hopefully we can make it even more special with this last game.” He added, “We want to make sure we get a better performance. In the last few games we’ve got the win but did not achieve what we wanted, which is a more complete performance.” Kolisi further stated, “Winning is the most important thing but we are looking for that team performance to close off the year properly.” Wales’ challenge was arguably intensified on Friday following the announcement by South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, that lock Eben Etzebeth would be promoted from the replacements bench to the starting lineup for the fixture at the Principality Stadium. Etzebeth, who holds the record as South Africa’s most capped player, will step in for the injured Jean Kleyn, while flanker Marco van Staden has been named among the substitutes. Together, Etzebeth and his fellow lock Franco Mostert have accumulated 207 international appearances, which is two more Test caps than the entire starting Wales team for Saturday’s game. With these adjustments, South Africa’s starting lineup now boasts a total of 638 caps, nearly double the 334 international appearances across Wales’ 23-man squad. The Springboks’ full squad collectively holds 963 Test caps and includes 16 World Cup winners. Conversely, Wales is currently experiencing a record streak of 11 consecutive international losses and faces the prospect of losing all 11 matches in 2024, placing head coach Warren Gatland under considerable pressure. Kolisi commented, “No player or coaches train to lose and I feel for them.” He continued, “I know they will get out of it. If anybody can get them out of it, it’s coach Gatland.” Kolisi observed, “He has given a lot of new guys opportunities. It’s a new team. I don’t think we have seen a Welsh team with so few caps.” He explained, “Things like that take time and the more they play, the better they will get because it’s giving them a lots of experience.” Kolisi concluded, “I am not too stressed for them because we have been in that situation and you just pull tighter.” Kolisi expressed his belief that Gatland’s team requires the support of the Welsh rugby public. Kolisi stated, “The way people still support the team and come out in numbers is special.” He added, “You feel the pride here because they love the team and that’s the sort of passion you want.” Kolisi further commented, “When you go through a tough time as a playing group, the people go through those tough times with you.” South Africa has secured victory in six of their most recent seven Test matches against Wales, following a previous sequence of four consecutive defeats to them. Furthermore, Wales has achieved success in only one of their last 11 Test matches held at the Principality Stadium. Kolisi remarked, “It’s hard to beat them and a lot of us have been beaten here a couple of times.” He continued, “I know what the score was last week against Australia [52-20] but their forwards got five scrum penalties.” Kolisi concluded, “They have a pack that can stand up against anybody and that’s a great foundation.” This year, flanker Kolisi and head coach Rassie Erasmus have guided their country to increased success, supported by a growing pool of players. The 33-year-old Kolisi commented, “I have had good moments this year and happy with how my body has held out.” He added, “I always wonder when am I going to be unable to keep up but the squad has been rotated well.” Kolisi explained, “As much as the players sometimes want to play all the games, coach Erasmus has a plan and we buy into it.” He concluded, “By the time we come to play, we feel fresh and other guys have been getting opportunities so the squad depth is growing.” Kolisi, who was born in Port Elizabeth, indicated that he is not dismissing the possibility of continuing his career until the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Kolisi stated, “I would love to go to 2027 but it’s about if I can still produce, keep up and not miss trainings on a Monday.” He continued, “If so, then I would love to keep going but it’s about trying to go next year again and continuing to fight.” Kolisi affirmed, “I will definitely play for as long as I am good enough in the jersey. I am not going to just give it away, I can’t do that.” The South Africa starting lineup features Aphelele Fassi; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (capt), Elrigh Louw, and Jasper Wiese. Replacements include Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, and Handre Pollard.