Siya Kolisi Still Battling for Springbok Spot and Rassie Erasmus’ Approval

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Despite his status as a two-time World Cup-winning captain, Siya Kolisi is under no illusion—his place in the Springbok squad is far from guaranteed. As the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship (URC) heads into its final stages, Kolisi, who turns 34 in June, remains fiercely committed. He is focused on proving his value ahead of a packed international calendar.

Kolisi’s leadership and experience remain invaluable. However, even he admits the fight for national selection is intensifying. The flanker, now showcasing his talents at No 8 for the Sharks, sees every match as an audition for Rassie Erasmus. This is especially true with South Africa’s 2025 fixtures fast approaching.

Siya Kolisi’s Sharks Riding Momentum

Over the weekend, Kolisi led the Sharks in the absence of Eben Etzebeth, who was sidelined due to illness. In a stunning 22-19 turnaround win against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, Kolisi’s side delivered a second consecutive tour victory. They had previously edged Edinburgh 18-17 in the opener.

Kolisi praised his team’s grit and used the platform to underline the URC’s importance for Bok hopefuls.

“The URC is big for our country, it’s big for us as a Sharks group, and a lot of us are fighting to make the national team,” he told RTE Sport.

With the Sharks sitting fourth on the URC table and pushing for a top-two finish to secure a home semi-final, Kolisi knows every performance counts. It’s not just for club pride but also for a potential Springbok jersey.

Adapting and Evolving

Traditionally the Springboks’ first-choice openside flanker, Kolisi has impressed in a No 8 role recently. He is broadening his utility in the national setup. This shift could be crucial, particularly with Jasper Wiese nursing an injury. Wiese’s absence may keep him out early in the 2025 season.

Kolisi now finds himself in direct competition with younger talents like Cameron Hanekom of the Bulls and Evan Roos of the Stormers. Both are eager to make their mark in the Springbok back row. Yet Kolisi’s experience, leadership, and growing positional versatility make him a compelling option.

Eye on the Green and Gold

With the 2025 international season fast approaching, Kolisi is targeting key fixtures to reinforce his place. The Springboks are set to face the Barbarians in late June, followed by a home series against Italy and Georgia in July. Then comes the demanding Rugby Championship—highlighted by clashes against the Wallabies and All Blacks. The season concludes with a challenging year-end tour to Europe.

Springbok 2025 Fixtures:

28 June: SA vs Barbarians (TBA)
5 July: SA vs Italy (Pretoria)
12 July: SA vs Italy (Gqeberha)
19 July: SA vs Georgia (Nelspruit)
16 August: SA vs Australia (Johannesburg)
23 August: SA vs Australia (Cape Town)
6 September: New Zealand vs SA (Auckland)
13 September: New Zealand vs SA (Wellington)
27 September: SA vs Argentina (Durban)
4 October: Argentina vs SA (Twickenham)
8 November: France vs SA (Paris)
15 November: Italy vs SA (Turin)
22 November: Ireland vs SA (Dublin)
29 November: Wales vs SA (Cardiff)

As the competition heats up and Erasmus evaluates his options, Kolisi’s resolve to keep donning the green and gold remains undimmed. He may be a national hero, but in our country’s fiercely competitive rugby landscape, every jersey must be earned. This holds true especially when the spotlight burns brightest.