For many Hollywoodbets Sharks supporters, the day Siya Kolisi walks back into the DHL Stormers dressing room will feel like a heartbreak. But until then, the Springboks captain still has a big job to finish in Durban, and his coach believes he remains one of the team’s most important voices.
A leader who cannot be coached
Kolisi’s impact off the bench in Cape Town last weekend was obvious the moment he stepped onto the field. The Sharks closed out a 30-19 URC victory over the very team he will rejoin next season, but according to Sharks head coach JP Pietersen, it was the Springbok skipper’s presence that truly shifted the tempo.
Pietersen could hardly hide his admiration when he reflected on Kolisi’s contribution.
“He was massive for us when he came on,” he said. “The way he talks, the way he moves… you can’t coach that. Siya was born with leadership.”
Kolisi’s ability to lift the players around him has shaped teams at provincial, national and international level. Even with his future set in Cape Town, his current squad remains fully invested in what he still brings to the Sharks’ system.
Durban stars rising around him
Pietersen also highlighted the performances of two players who are shaping their own stories in Durban.
Full-back Aphelele Fassi, named Player of the Match, put on the kind of complete performance that shows why he has become such a fan favourite. Known for his attacking spark, Fassi’s growth has come through his well-rounded game: a confident kicking boot, calmness under the high ball and sharp awareness in broken play.
“He’s got that X-factor any team wants,” Pietersen said.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen, who Pietersen appointed captain after taking over in December, continues to set the tone on and off the field.
“André challenges the group,” Pietersen explained. “When he plays well, the team plays well. He’s a Sharks boy through and through.”
A derby with bite
Last weekend’s match had all the makings of a classic South African derby: physical, tactical and full of pressure moments. The Sharks started fast, applied early pressure and capitalised on chances that the Stormers failed to finish.
Pietersen admitted the game plan wasn’t always perfect, but what impressed him most was the attitude when things went wrong.
“The boys showed fight. They scrambled, they worked back, and they turned pressure into points. That was the difference.”
A rematch with familiar threats
With both sides preparing to meet again in Durban this weekend, the Sharks know the Stormers will arrive determined to correct their mistakes. Pietersen expects John Dobson’s men to elevate their game.
“They will definitely come back harder,” he said. “The challenge is always whether you can double up. We don’t have to reinvent the plan, but we can tweak where needed.”
For Kolisi, it’s another chance to lead by example before he heads back to his first rugby home. For the Sharks, it’s one more opportunity to squeeze every last bit of impact from a player who has always been more than just a jersey number.
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Source: SuperSport
Featured Image Source: Siya Kolisi on X
