FEATURE: Siya Kolisi the first among equals in Springbok collective

The sharpest image of the 2019 Rugby World Cup is that of a triumphant Siya Kolisi, the first black player to captain South Africa in a Test, lifting the Webb Ellis Cup after the 32-12 win over England in Yokohama.

The picture still speaks volumes for the development of a new South Africa and the possibilities that cross-community collaboration can achieve. But it does not tell the whole story of what goes on on the field, neither in 2019 nor in 2023.

Kolisi is a great leader, of that there is no doubt, but he does not operate alone.

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“I think what sets Siya aside from other leaders is how he includes everyone’s opinions in the team,” centre Jesse Kriel explained this week ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final showdown with France in Paris.

“He is always open to listening to everyone’s thoughts and ideas on different things.

“I think as an individual that allows you to feel very included and that your opinion is heard. That isn’t something that is very common in leadership.”

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Individual leadership has become one of the great strengths of this Springbok side. No player hides and none is afraid of making a call.

“It’s something that has bettered us all and allowed us all to become leaders,” says Kriel.

Kolisi himself spoke about it during the pool stages when asked who makes the decisions, including goalkicking, on the field.

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“Sometimes I don’t know what to call in the game, so Duane (Vermeulen) or Eben (Etzebeth) or Manie (Libbok) will make the call,” he admitted openly.

“If someone’s lacking, somebody else picks up. He’s not going to be good at everything every single game. That’s why we work together, (and) don’t get stressed about it.”

‘LUCKY’

In this team, Kolisi relies heavily on Faf de Klerk, the yappy terrier with the flowing blond locks at scrumhalf who injects life into tired forwards and combines superbly with Libbok or Handre Pollard at No.10, as well as Etzebeth, the second row ‘Enforcer’.

“There are certain players in rugby that others dread coming up against. Eben is one of those players,” said former Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, who gave Etzebeth his first Test cap in 2012.

This fluidity of leadership also allows the Springboks, in spite of the mighty off-field presence of management team Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber and the lamps they shine from the stands to indicate desired changes, to alert their gameplan on the field.

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“I don’t think we have chosen a specific path,” De Klerk told reporters this week when discussing the gameplan for the French.

“I think it will depend on the situation. Where the game is and what’s needed from us.

“If we need to go to the old traditional ways (forward power and box-kicking) we can do that and if we need to have a go, we can also do that.

“As a team we are lucky in that regard.”

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Ultimately, however, the focus will remain on Kolisi, the pin-up skipper who so nearly missed out on the tournament because of injury.

An all-action flanker, he is a monumental player and even though he will be leaving South Africa’s domestic rugby scene for the wealth of France’s Top 14 at the end of the World Cup, he remains key to their tournament and a touchstone in the country.

“Kolisi as a leader has galvanised supporters,” former Springbok flyhalf Joel Stransky told AFP.

“Football will always be bigger (in South Africa) but he is iconic because of the way he leads, he plays and the way he goes about life.

“He’s someone everyone wants on their side.”

TEAMS

South Africa

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux

France

15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille

Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Yoram Moefana

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse