Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has returned from injury to lead South Africa in the second match of the great rugby rivalry against the All Blacks.
The Greatest Rugby Rivalry
Kolisi's return to the Springbok squad was met with great enthusiasm, but his responsible approach during rehabilitation was equally commendable. Kolisi made significant efforts to return to the team as soon as possible after missing the first match at Ellis Park last week.
Nevertheless, he did not rush the process or risk aggravating the injury before being ready for the first match in the great rugby rivalry. This required making several difficult decisions, including acknowledging that he was not yet fully healthy and taking an extra week to recover before the second match against the All Blacks.
According to Springbok teammate Thomas du Toit, this demonstrated Kolisi's exceptional responsibility regarding his recovery. He noted: 'Yes, it's great that Siya is back in the team. I think he handled his rehabilitation very well to get back as quickly as possible.'
Du Toit continued that Kolisi tried very hard to return to the team, but every time he didn't feel one hundred percent, he had the resolve to say: 'Listen, I am not ready, and take an extra week.' He added: 'I think he made very responsible decisions, not only for the team but also for himself. And you shouldn't play with a small pain or injury for anything.'
Returning to the squad, Kolisi brings not only his on-field experience to the team. His voice and presence in training are already felt, especially among the younger players. However, the final proof will become clear on Saturday when he leads the team onto the field in the second battle.
Du Toit also emphasized: 'He is very talkative, especially in training, and I feel that helps a lot. I think it gives a lot of confidence to the young guys.'
The Bok prop also praised teammate Ox Nche, who is playing his 50th match, and Peter-Steph du Toit will play in his 100th match for the world champions. Both have a big role to play on Saturday, and there will be great pressure on them to achieve victory for the team. Du Toit stated: 'I am incredibly grateful to him (Nche) as a player and as a person. I am very happy that he is marking his 50th. I am as proud as any teammate can be. I am very happy for him, and yes, I hope we can make it memorable for him, and obviously for Peter-Steph for his 100th.'