Ex-Springbok’s emphatic verdict on Siya Kolisi’s Sharks return and World Cup hopes
Robbie Fleck has thrown his weight behind Siya Kolisi's return to South Africa.
Former Springboks centre and ex-Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck has weighed in on Siya Kolisi’s imminent return to South Africa where he is set to rejoin the Sharks.
Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that talks are underway between Racing 92 and the Sharks over the release of Kolisi from the final two years of his contract in France as he eyes a return to Durban.
This comes after a disappointing spell in the French capital where the Springboks flanker struggled with injuries and was openly criticised in the media by club president Jacky Lorenzetti.
It is also understood that Kolisi has not settled well in Paris either and wishes to come back to South Africa.
Robbie Fleck reacts
Erasmus has welcomed Kolisi’s potential return to the country particularly after stating his preference for his skipper to be based locally.
Fleck has echoed his former teammate’s sentiments and likened the move to when Jake White brought Percy Montgomery and Os du Randt back for the 2007 Rugby World Cup and when Peter de Villiers lured John Smit back from Clermont.
While the switch could prove to be costly for the Sharks, who will have to buy Kolisi out of the remainder of his contract, Fleck still believes it is a great move for all parties.
“For SA Rugby to bring Siya back to South Africa is certainly the right call. He is the leader of our team and our people,” he said on the Boks Office podcast.
“You could see when he first arrived in Paris that he was engaging with the fans and he did very good job with that in tyring to create something there.
“But with his focus now on coming back to South Africa and playing for the Springboks – he is a family man – these are his roots and this is where he is comfortable.”
The former Boks centre does feel like Kolisi is pulling the trigger quickly but he understands the decision and backs it.
“I thought he would have seen out another year and then try coming back but I do think it is the right thing for South African rugby and for him,” Fleck added.
“These are his people, he leads by example on a day-to-day basis and I’m sure his family is keen to get back here too.”
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Making the next World Cup
Erasmus has shown intent to blood the next generation into the Springboks squad and warned that some stars from the last two World Cup victories will fall off the pace.
At 33 years old, Kolisi is in danger of being one of those players and when asked by ex-Bok captain Jean de Villiers if the flanker would make the next World Cup in Australia; the answer was emphatic.
“I definitely do,” Fleck said. “Rassie has hinted about the captaincy and that but Siya has still got a crucial role to play.
“With leaders like John Smit, Percy Montgomery, Os du Randt, these elder statesmen in the sides, were all brought back and were all good smart decisions by those coaches.
“It’s not just from a performance between the four lines point of view but it is also in the changeroom where it counts and that’s where I feel Siya adds so much value.”
While Lorenzetti was highly critical of Kolisi’s performances for Racing 92, the flanker showed a different kind of form in his Test appearances for the Springboks in July.
His form and ability to recover from injury leads the ex-Stormers boss – who was the first to give Kolisi a leadership role in professional rugby – to believe that he has more than enough in the tank to make the next World Cup.
“He had an unbelievable series against Ireland, he is still performing so that’s not an issue,” he said.
“Also, if he can get back so quickly from an injury like he did before the World Cup, that means that his body is still primed and ready to play at a high level.
“And you need an experienced campaigner and leader like that in the group to go for a third World Cup.”
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Evan Roos’ verdict
Springboks number eight Evan Roos also weighed in on Kolisi’s return to South Africa and although he wishes he would come back to the Stormers, he believes it will be a massive boost for the Durban-based side.
“It is good that the national captain is in South Africa, he then has a direct effect when he needs to be somewhere with SARU matters, he is there,” Roos explained.
“It is going to be massive for the Sharks, who are trying to rebuild, they have got a lot of good players in and with him coming back it is basically a Springbok squad that you are going up against.”
The Stormers forward believes that Kolisi’s character makes him the greatest captain the Springboks have ever had.
“He is very down to earth and he treats Rassie the same as he treats someone who cleans the toilets or helps out the team and always makes time for fans,” he added.
“I have been with him at times where I feel sorry for him because he can’t go for a coffee or go to the mall to buy something, it’s crazy as soon as one person spots him, everyone is on him and he handles it so well.
“That is partly what makes him the greatest captain we have ever had because of how he deals with stuff off the pitch and on it, he delegates really well in camp and doesn’t try to control everything – it’s a great sign of leadership.”
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