Kolisi celebrates with Liverpool but is focussed on impressing Springbok coach Rassie in the URC
United Rugby Championship
Springbok Siya Kolisi enjoyed that winning feeling this past weekend after the Sharks beat Ulster and Liverpool won the English Premier League title. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Siya Kolisi enjoyed a happy weekend of sporting success. On Saturday night, he led his team to victory over Ulster in Belfast, and on Sunday, he watched in the stands at Anfield as his beloved Liverpool secured the English Premiership title.
Kolisi was a fan for the day, and after Liverpool crushed Spurs 5-1, he joined thousands of fans in the streets singing “Now you gonna believe us, we’re going to win the league.”
In a video posted on X, Kolisi, wearing a red T-shirt, lights a red smoke candle while singing lustily.
Famously, the Springbok captain was a guest of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at a 2022 match at Anfield, but on Sunday, he was among the red masses in the stands and looked like he was having the time of his life.
The day before, Kolisi led the Sharks to their second comeback win of their two-match United Rugby Championship tour. They had beaten Edinburgh 18-17 in the first week before recovering from a 0-19 deficit to snatch the spoils at the death at the Kingspan Stadium, with a Jordan Hendrikse penalty winning the game 22-19.
Kolisi was interviewed by an Irish TV broadcaster after the game and said the frantic closing rounds of the URC were the ideal battleground for players to impress Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Sharks are looking good on the log, in fourth place. Over the final two rounds, they will fight hard to try and nail second spot (and a possible home semi-final).
“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 said.
“Last year we won the Challenge Cup, but this is big for us. We know how tough it’s going to be with the way Leinster is going. The Bulls are going well, and so are Glasgow. To get a home playoff is big, so that’s what we’re fighting for.”
Kolisi is desperate to hang on to his famous No 6 jersey at the Boks, but he has been playing well at No 8 for the Sharks, and this gives him another possible route to the Springbok starting XV.