Could Siya Kolisi extend new role to Springboks?

If there was any doubt about whether Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi made the correct decision to leave French club Racing 92 to return to the Sharks last year, these have been emphatically eradicated in recent times.

Kolisi has made a massive impact on his ‘second coming’ at the Shark Tank, recently also discovering some prolific try-scoring form as his role in the team has also changed quite dramatially.

Ever since Sharks coach John Plumtree opted to move Kolisi back to his old position at No 8, the Springbok captain seems to have found a new lease on life in a role where he has the freedom to roam and embrace his ball-carrying abilities and off-loading skills.

These are attributes that could not only suit the Springboks as they continue to evolve their style of attacking play, but there is a feeling that a move to No 8 could also prolong the career of the captain. 

Siya Kolisi could embrace a change at the Springboks

The Springboks are well covered at eighthman through Jasper Wiese and newcomer Cameron Hanekom, but a long-term injury to Elrigh Louw may well have given the national coaches more reason to pause and consider Kolisi as an option at No 8.

“I like Siya at eight because of the skill set he has on attack,” Plumtree recently commented. “We saw that lovely little touch he made on the sideline to put Jurenzo [Julius] away against the Lions [at Kings Park]. He’s got quick hands and some lovely offloading skills, which I like in an eight.”

Interestingly, teammate Phepsi Buthelezi has actually been making waves of his own with a string of noteworthy positions in Kolisi’s old position at openside flank.

“I think Phepsi can play eight comfortably, but I’d like to develop him more as a six. Six is a competitive position, you’re harder on the ball and it’s a position I’d like to see Phepsi get better at,” Plumtree commened.

“Phepsi is also a tough runner, we’ve seen that throughout the season, but I’ve just been encouraging him to have a really solid work rate where he has a large influence on the game.

“Phepsi’s probably been our standout forward so far this season – he’s been consistently playing really good rugby – but I’d like to see him development more in that six spot.”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE BOK CAPTAIN DEPLOYED IN A NEW POSITION?

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