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Siya Kolisi
Ashfak Mohamed
HE was sleeping when the Springbok squad was being announced live on television, but Siya Kolisi was soon woken up by phone calls from friends to tell him that he had made the squad.
And you can be sure Kolisi would not be caught napping if he had to make his Test debut against Argentina at Newlands next Saturday in the first game of the new Rugby Championship. Kolisi was finally rewarded for an outstanding debut season for the Stormers when Bok coach Heyneke Meyer included him in the 30-man group.
“I still can’t believe it! Heyneke called me afterwards. I was sleeping when the announcement came on TV, and when I woke up, a friend phoned to say I made it!” Kolisi told the Cape Times yesterday.
“I was very surprised that I had made it, as I didn’t hear anything and no one spoke to me before the time. I just hope that I get a chance to play, but I am glad I made the official squad after training with the team during the England series.”
Meyer said at the announcement in Worcester on Saturday that he is considering Kolisi as an openside flank, although he is aware of the 21-year-old’s ability to play in all three loose-trio positions. “Siya’s playing great rugby and impressed me when he trained with the squad. I think it is well deserved,” the Bok mentor said. “Siya is a versatile player, and I am very happy that he has made the squad.”
Kolisi, who joined the Bok camp in the city yesterday, is surprised by his form at No 6. “I was a number eight as a junior, and never thought one day I would be at openside. Now I could play there for the Boks!”
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