Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is on the verge of making his highly anticipated return to the Stormers in their United Rugby Championship match against Edinburgh at DAM Health Stadium in Scotland on Friday night. Kolisi began his professional career at Western Province in 2011 and made his Stormers debut in 2012, playing over 100 games for the union before joining the Sharks in 2021.
After a stint with the Sharks for four seasons over five years, Kolisi spent the 2023/24 season with Racing 92 in France. The Stormers announced his return in December last year, generating significant excitement among fans. Initially, it was expected that Kolisi would make his debut for the Stormers when they returned to South Africa, but circumstances have accelerated his comeback.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson revealed that Kolisi arrived in Ireland on Thursday night and offered to play immediately after the team suffered two late withdrawals in utility forwards Evan Roos and Marcel Theunissen. Dobson praised Kolisi's commitment, stating that the player's willingness to play despite arriving late was a testament to his dedication to the team.
Roos and Theunissen, who sustained injuries during training on the 4G pitch, have been sent home to consult a specialist. This development could pave the way for Kolisi to be thrust into the team for Friday's match. Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani remained tight-lipped about the possibility of Kolisi's selection during a press conference on Monday.
Hlungwani disclosed that Kolisi had expressed his desire to join the team as soon as he learned he wouldn't be playing for the Springboks against the Wallabies. The Springboks granted permission for Kolisi to join the Stormers, and he has been integrating with the team, getting to know some of the younger players.
The Stormers' team for the Edinburgh match will be announced on Thursday, and Hlungwani was cautious not to reveal any selection details. If Kolisi is chosen to play, the team will hope he makes an immediate impact and helps secure a win over Edinburgh, setting them up for a strong start to the season with two consecutive victories on the road.
A win against Edinburgh would see the Stormers return to South Africa in excellent form, with momentum building ahead of their future matches. The team's performance will be closely watched, particularly with Kolisi's return, as fans and pundits alike are eager to see how he will contribute to the team's success.
Key points
- Siya Kolisi may make his Stormers comeback in their United Rugby Championship match against Edinburgh on Friday.
- Kolisi's return was accelerated due to the team's late withdrawals and his willingness to play immediately.
- A win against Edinburgh would give the Stormers a strong start to the season with two consecutive victories on the road.
