Siya Kolisi has been turning heads lately with his standout performances in an unfamiliar role—No. 8.

The Sharks have found great value in playing the Springbok captain in this position, and so far, the experiment seems to be paying off.

Coach John Plumtree believes that this role better showcases Kolisi’s strengths, including his dynamic ball-carrying and ability to keep the attack flowing with well-timed offloads.

At 33, Kolisi appears to have rediscovered some of his best form, thriving with this newfound responsibility.

Could the Springboks Follow Suit?

With Kolisi performing so well at the back of the scrum, it raises an interesting question: Will the Springboks consider slotting him in at No. 8 during the international season? While the national team has different tactical priorities compared to the Sharks, his recent form certainly gives selectors something to think about.

Regardless of where he plays, Kolisi remains focused on self-improvement.

Following a recent Man of the Match display, he downplayed his try-scoring exploits, instead emphasizing his defensive work and overall effort levels.

A Wake-Up Call at the Springbok Camp

Reflecting on the Springbok alignment camp earlier this month, Kolisi admitted that the experience was a bit of a wake-up call for him.

“Being in camp was tough; it really makes you take a hard look at yourself,” he shared.

“It’s not just about scoring tries—it’s about the work I do across the entire field.

My work rate needed to be better, and I’ve been pushing myself to be more effective for the team.”

Kolisi also acknowledged a key area for improvement—his tackling technique.

“I’ve realized I’ve been tackling with my hands rather than my shoulder, and that’s not up to standard.

I need to be more dominant in contact situations.”

Managing Kolisi’s Workload During the Springbok Season

As one of South Africa’s most vital players, Kolisi will be carefully managed throughout the international calendar to ensure he remains in peak condition.

The Springboks have a packed schedule, including blockbuster clashes against New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland.

Springbok Fixtures for 2025

Date TBC: vs Barbarians (TBC)
5 July: vs Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12 July: vs Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: vs Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
16 August: vs Australia – Ellis Park, Johannesburg
23 August: vs Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
6 September: vs New Zealand – Auckland
13 September: vs New Zealand – Wellington
27 September: vs Argentina – Kings Park, Durban
4 October: vs Argentina – London
1 November: vs Wales – Cardiff
8 November: vs France – Paris
15 November: vs Italy – Turin
22 November: vs Ireland – Dublin

Additionally, SA Rugby is working on securing another Test match, likely against Japan in Cape Town.