FILE - Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will pack down at No 8 for the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship match against Munster. FILE - Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will pack down at No 8 for the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship match against Munster. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
Siya Kolisi has been picked at No 8 in the Sharks’ starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship match against Munster, a few days after announcing that he and wife Rachel are getting a divorce.
The Kolisis made the announcement on their social media channels on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier that day, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus also announced the 34-man South African touring party for their Test matches against Scotland, England and Wales.
Kolisi will continue to captain the Boks during that November tour.
Despite concerns from the public, Sharks coach John Plumtree says Kolisi is mentally and physically ready to take on Munster on Saturday, while adding that they are respecting the Springbok captain’s privacy at this time.
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“Ah, he’s fine and looking forward to the weekend. He’s had a really good week and trained well. It’s his own personal business and it’s really got nothing to do with us,” Plumtree told the media ahead of the match.
“It’s a very sensitive subject around Siya, and better that we stay out, [but] we’re here for him like you’d expect from a major organisation like the Sharks.”
Plumtree has re-jigged his loose trio from the win over the Glasgow Warriors, shifting Kolisi to No 8, with Phepsi Buthelezi playing off the bench. James Venter comes into the team at flank, joining Vincent Tshituka on the side of the scrum.
Plumtree thinks Kolisi’s switch from flank to No 8 will free up the Bok captain up to get his hands on the ball a lot more to cause Munster some damage.
“I want to see how James Venter, Siya and Vincent go together, I quite like that combination. They’re all three very physical loose forwards,” Plumtree said.
“I think Siya at 8 can free up more of his running game, and he’s also really good on the ball in terms of his poaching.”
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