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'As personal as possible': Siya Kolisi ahead of England Test
By PA
Siya Kolisi admits “it’s always personal” as South Africa prepare to face an England side intent on revenge at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
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The Springboks are aiming to inflict a fifth successive defeat on England in a rematch of last year’s stormy World Cup semi-final, which they won through a late Handre Pollard penalty.
The bad blood from a mighty physical confrontation in Paris lingers, exacerbated by the race row that erupted when England’s Tom Curry claimed he had been called a “white ****” by Bongi Mbonambi, an allegation denied by the South Africa hooker.
Kolisi insists the Springboks’ motivation is the same every time they step onto the pitch, knowing that winning successive World Cups has made them the game’s most sought-after scalp.
“It’s always personal. That’s just how we prepare ourselves for games,” South Africa’s captain said.
“It’s got to be personal. It’s another man trying to run through you in-game, it doesn’t get more personal than that. So every game for us is personal.
“This one, in Twickenham, is a big game and we know what England have been going through. We’ve been in their position before.
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“We know we’ve got a target on our back at all times. Every single team that plays against us…we’ve got to make it as personal as possible because we want to stay where we are.”
Marcus Smith has been England’s star player this autumn and Kolisi is full of admiration for the Harlequins fly-half.
“Marcus is amazing, you can’t deny that. I played against him in the European Cup and he is one of those gifted people who can do something when there is nothing happening,” Kolisi said.
“He’s young and if you stop him he’s going to keep on coming back and that’s what you want.
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“Most players try and try and then give up. He tries and tries and tries and keeps on trying. He is competitive, he wants to win at all times.”
Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)
