Rassie explains Kolisi’s class

SPRINGBOK coach Rassie Erasmus was unequivocal in giving his opinion about what separates great Springboks such as Siya Kolisi from the flyby-nights that play one or two Tests.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Both coach and captain will celebrate significant milestones against France in Paris on Saturday night. Erasmus takes charge of his 50th Bok Test, having won 36 of the 49, while Kolisi becomes the ninth Bok centurion.

“You get the player who is playing for himself as a Bok and then you get the player who is playing for his country. That is why you see guys with plenty of potential play two or three Tests and fade. They don’t get it that it is about the team and South Africa, not about the individual.

“You have to serve the team,” Erasmus continued before confessing, “I was one of those players at one stage with a big ego. Some get it from the start, such as Siya. “He stayed humble and always knew that he was playing for his country and not for Siya Kolisi. That is the difference.”

Regarding his own milestone, Erasmus said he had not been aware of it.

“My SOth is not a big thing; we have not mentioned it. It got brought up in the media,” he said.