Finally the doubters of Kolisi, the rugby player, have been silenced

How Siya Kolisi has silenced his critics.

The Springbok captain is such a deserving winner of the SA Rugby Player of the Year award.

While the prize could really have gone to any one of the nominees, who also included Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am, Kolisi stood out in 2021.

It was by far the flanker’s best season in a Bok jersey. Sure, Kolisi led the side to the World Cup in 2019 after overcoming a serious injury, but the way he played last year was just unbelievable.

For many there were doubts about Kolisi the player. Many questioned whether he was good enough to play for the Boks and hold down the No 6 position? And there were times when he didn’t look like he belonged. But that is something every sportsman goes through at stages in a career.

Some suggested Duane Vermeulen took charge of the team and was the leader, with Kolisi the figurehead, but how that theory was debunked last year when Vermeulen spent much of it on the sidelines.

There were grey areas and many fans wondered why some Bok coaches persisted with Siya. Well, now we know why. They all saw something in him and they all backed him, and how he has paid them and his country back.

Kolisi proved all the doubters wrong last season – if he hadn’t done so already. He went out and showed game after game he is one of the best flankers in the game, and I mean in the world.

The Boks are blessed to have such a strong and powerful leader and player in their midst and it is the reason why the team will again be a force at the World Cup next year.

URC action

Moving on to the United Rugby Championship, well, the Bulls and Sharks should win against the Lions and Stormers this weekend. But, as we’ve seen, there is actually very little between the South African teams and on the day anyone can win.

The Bulls though need to come good again. They’ve slipped off the pace a bit after their dominant showing in 2021 and if they’re to really kick on from the platform they’ve built, they need to come out and say ‘we’re the best’. They need to find their confidence again.

They’ve being challenged, too. By the Sharks, with Kolisi and Bongi Mbonambi back this week, the Sharks look like a serious team again. And if they get it right and play to their potential they can quite easily match the Bulls’ dominance of 2021 and take it a step further.

It is up to the Stormers, who’ll now be full of confidence after winning at Loftus, and the Lions, who will be desperate for consistency in approach, to continue to grow and be worthy competitors in South Africa.