Why Siya Kolisi's move to No 8 may boost the Springboks' RWC chances

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi’s transition to No 8 has started off “nicely” according to former Springboks flanker Schalk Burger following his player of the match performance against the Exeter Chiefs in round one of the Investec Champions Cup.

Starting at No 8, Kolisi led the match for linebreaks at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium, and was second in both defenders beaten and metres carried as the Sharks opened their campaign with a bonus-point win.

Speaking on RugbyPass TV’s upcoming episode of Boks Office, Burger explained the different demands of playing at No 8 as opposed to openside flanker, and how it benefits a player as they get older.

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White on his team’s performance against Saracens in London

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Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White on his team’s performance against Saracens in London

The Bulls were not “street smart” against a clinical Saracens side in blustery conditions in London on Saturday.

Now at the age of 33, South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus will want to get as much as he can out of his captain, particularly with a third successive World Cup triumph in 2027 a possibility. Having Kolisi still leading the side in Australia in three years’ time would significantly boost their chances of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup again.

A move to the back of the scrum could therefore benefit an ageing Kolisi – who will be 36 when the next World Cup comes around – as “you don’t work as hard,” according to Burger.

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Leicester

56 - 17

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Sharks

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Even if Erasmus does not explore the option of playing Kolisi at No 8 for the Springboks, being deployed there could nevertheless help prolong the 92-cap international’s career as he will be playing in a less taxing position week in, week out.

“No 8 is one of those positions as you get older you don’t work as hard,” Burger said.

“You can pick your battles in and out, you can save the engine, you’re not revving it into red all the time whereas at openside flanker you have to.

“Siya’s one of those players, there’s not a lot of them, where the older you get the better the skill set has become and he looks beautiful in open play which is nice to see.”

Kolisi himself is enjoying his slight positional shift, saying after the match: “I’m loving it, that’s where I started playing rugby, at number eight.

“That’s where coach Rassie Erasmus spotted me when I was at school so it’s really good to get back to it.

“I’m getting the ball in my hands more. I’m more involved in the game and I’m enjoying it.”