The last time the Springboks played England at Ellis Park it was one of the toughest, but also most triumphant days of captain Siya Kolisi’s career, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA.
On 9 June 2018, a 26-year-old Kolisi led the team onto the field as the first black African Test captain in Springbok history.
However, his captaincy debut quickly unravelled into a nightmare as three quick tries and a long-range penalty saw England surge into a 24-3 lead inside 20 minutes.
“I remember it was a very tough and emotional game,” Kolisi recalled on Tuesday. “I think the emotions got the better of me. I struggled a bit, but the team did well and I had so many great leaders around me.”
The Boks fought back to win an epic encounter 42-39 and sealed the three-Test series with a win in Bloemfontein the following week.
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Kolisi, who will lead the Boks out again against England at Ellis Park next Saturday in their opening Nations Championship clash, said his captaincy debut taught him one of the most important leadership lessons of his career – that he did not have to carry the burden alone.
“That was where I actually learned how to use the people around me,” said Kolisi, who at the time of his captaincy debut had 28 Test caps.
“I remember England went 21 points up and everybody looked at me under the posts.
“I said: ‘I have no answers.’ Then I looked at the guy next to me and asked: ‘Do you have something to say?’”
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Kolisi credited the structures put in place by coach Rassie Erasmus, who had been appointed in March 2018, as well as then defence coach Jacques Nienaber.
“We were learning a new defensive system and there was a lot happening [that day],” he said. “Jacques was standing under the posts screaming at us not to stop doing what we were doing.
“Rassie has known me since I was 18 years old. He knew I would struggle at the beginning and he put systems in place that allowed me to focus on what I needed to do.”
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Eight years later, Kolisi has become one of rugby’s most successful captains, lifting the Webb Ellis Cup twice and helping establish the greatest era in Springbok history.
“It was a huge learning opportunity for me and it obviously changed my life,” he said. “Now I’m able to share that with the other guys when they’re in the leadership group as well.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
