Kolisi Welcomes Return of Springbok Stars, Pays Tribute to Andrews

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has expressed his delight at the return of several senior Springboks from Japan to domestic clubs. The move is expected to strengthen the local game in the build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Hooker Malcolm Marx, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, flyhalf Manie Libbok, and loose-forward Kwagga Smith are among the players returning to South Africa. This development has been welcomed by Kolisi, who believes it will have a positive impact on the team.

Kolisi made the comments before the Springboks' Nations Championship clash with Italy in Turin on Saturday. He emphasized the importance of the return of the experienced players, saying it will provide an opportunity for young players to learn from them. The Springboks are on a high after winning a bruising series against New Zealand 3-1. They will face France and Ireland after Saturday's match against Italy, before completing a run of four successive weekends with the Nations Championship finals.

The return of the Springbok stars is expected to boost the United Rugby Championship (URC), which Kolisi believes will be "on fire" with the addition of quality players. The URC will feature several South African teams, including the Sharks, who were Kolisi's former franchise. The competition is expected to be fiercely contested, with all teams getting stronger and bringing in top-class players.

Kolisi also paid a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate Hyron Andrews, who died at the Lions team hotel last month, aged 31. Andrews played alongside Kolisi at the Sharks franchise in Durban. Kolisi described Andrews as an "amazing human being" and expressed his sympathy for Andrews' family, particularly his wife and two children.

Kolisi revealed that it was starting to sink in for many of the players that Andrews was no longer with them. He said it was tough for those who were close to Andrews, but he couldn't imagine the pain his family was going through. Kolisi praised Andrews' wife for her unwavering support throughout his career.

The Springboks are preparing for a busy schedule of matches, including their Nations Championship finals. Kolisi said the team was excited to finish strongly and compete in a new competition. He emphasized that it was never hard for the team to get up for a game and that they were used to playing in high-pressure situations.

The return of the Springbok stars and the team's busy schedule will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. Kolisi's comments have highlighted the team's optimism and determination to perform well in the upcoming matches. The team's performance will be crucial in the build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Key points

• The return of experienced players from Japan is expected to strengthen the local game in South Africa.
• Kolisi paid a tribute to his former teammate Hyron Andrews, who died last month.
• The Springboks will face France and Ireland after their match against Italy on Saturday.