Pressure can be a terrible thing, especially if you are seen as a leader in a team that’s determined to make 2017 their year.
That team is the Stormers.
Add the fact that the Stormers want to be major Super Rugby contenders to the mix and that pressure becomes even more. Oh yes, and they are going to face the New Zealand sides this season after side-stepping all the Kiwi teams in the group stages last year thanks to a format that doesn’t make much sense. And then, lastly, there’s also that great expectation from all their fans.
That’s a lot of pressure, especially for a player who will be part of the team’s leadership group, but Stormers loose forward Siya Kolisi doesn’t exactly see it that way. In fact, he sees the fact that he is regarded as one of the Stormers’ leaders this year as a "lekker challenge".
The Springbok back rower, who has been referred to as being a core part of the Stormers’ leadership group by coach Robbie Fleck, says that he just has to "grow up" and embrace the challenge of being a key figure in a Stormers group that have big plans for this year.
“You know what, it’s just time for me to grow up. It’s an opportunity and a lekker challenge that I’m excited for. I’m hoping it’s going to bring the best out of me. It already has, in my everyday life, on and off the field. So I’m just seeing it as a new challenge,” Kolisi said.
Late last year, former Blues skills coach Paul Feeney joined the franchise as they aimed at developing their skill levels, while they also placed a lot of emphasis on their strength and conditioning.
“It was really horrible last year (Chiefs game), especially since it was at Newlands because we take a lot of pride in playing there. We were very disappointed and we knew we had a lot of hard work to do. The coaches have tried to change the whole culture,” Kolisi said.
The Stormers have also gained some depth in a number of positions since their 2016 campaign after signing new talent and adding more youngsters to their camp. So Kolisi and the other members of Fleck’s leadership group will have an exciting ship to steer this year.
“It puts more responsibility on me, but what’s lekker about it is the fact that it’s not just me, we’re a big group of guys, you know. There’s JC (Janse van Rensburg), Eben (Etzebeth), Pieter-Steph (du Toit) and we’ve got a couple of international players. There’s also a couple of new guys,” Kolisi said.
Kolisi has also suffered a number of injuries that have interfered with his participation and to some extent his growth, but the loose forward said that he won’t pay much mind to the dreaded injury bug.
“I just want the team to do well man, that’s my main priority right now. And that starts with beating the Bulls this coming week. I don’t want to think about injuries because they happen whether you think about it or not. I just pray that I have a blessed year,” he said.
That attitude right there is a good start, and a perfect one for those, like Kolisi, wishing to get their season off to a lekker start against the Bulls.