Siya Kolisi Set for Stormers Comeback Debut Against Edinburgh This Friday
- Siya Kolisi travelled to support the Stormers during their URC opener against Connacht last Friday despite only arriving the night before
- Stormers head coach John Dobson revealed Kolisi requested to join the squad rather than take a rest period after the Springbok season
- Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed Kolisi is already engaging with younger players in the squad ahead of a potential return
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Siya Kolisi is in line to make his much-anticipated return to Stormers rugby this Friday when the Cape side faces Edinburgh in their second United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture of the season.
The 35-year-old flanker was present at the Stormers' URC opener against Connacht last week, watching from the sidelines after choosing to travel with the squad rather than rest following the Springbok season. His presence drew significant attention, and coaches have now indicated he could feature in the Edinburgh clash.
Dobson Praises Kolisi's Commitment
Head coach John Dobson highlighted Kolisi's decision to join the team as a telling sign of his dedication to the Stormers' cause. Speaking after the Connacht victory, Dobson noted that Kolisi had arrived late the night before the match yet still expressed a desire to play.
Dobson previously described Kolisi as uniquely positioned to develop the next generation of Stormers loose forwards, noting that the squad currently includes the last three Junior Springbok captains.
Kolisi's Return to His Roots
Should Kolisi take the field on Friday, it will add to his tally of 118 Stormers caps. He made his debut for the franchise in 2012 and was appointed captain in 2017, a year before being handed the Springbok captaincy. He led South Africa to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023.
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Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed that Kolisi's involvement with the squad began almost immediately after he was left out of the Springbok squad for the match against the Wallabies.
Dobson added that the Stormers are mindful of the physical and personal demands Kolisi has shouldered in recent years, but expressed optimism about his buy-in to the team's long-term ambitions ahead of what the franchise has termed Project 2029.
Source: Briefly News
