Kolisi: Fierce competition for spots

Cape Town - Stormers loose forward Siya Kolisi says strong competition for places in the team is keeping him on his toes.

Kolisi will wear in the No 7 jersey when the Stormers host the Rebels in a Super Rugby clash at Newlands on Saturday (19:10 kick-off).

He will form a formidable loose trio with Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen.

“It’s strong competition that spurs us on. There is constantly someone pushing for my spot. I’ll have to push myself hard against the Rebels this weekend, because I know Michael Rhodes will soon be fit again. Nizaam Carr is also eager to stake a claim,” Kolisi told Netwerk24.

Kolisi, who boasts 10 Test caps for the Boks, would also have his sights sets on making the Springbok squad again, but he’ll face stiff competition from Francois Louw and Marcell Coetzee.

“I haven’t let my thoughts go that far because the next couple of games are very important for the Stormers.”

Teams:

Stormers:

15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Seabelo Senatla, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Ali Vermaak, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Kurt Coleman, 23. Huw Jones

Rebels:

15. Mike Harris, 14. Cam Crawford, 13. Dom Shipperley, 12. Mitch Inman, 11. Tom English, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 9. Nic Stirzaker, 8. Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7. Scott Fuglistaller, 6. Sean McMahon, 5. Lopeti Timani, 4. Luke Jones, 3. Paul Alo-Emile, 2. Pat Leafa, 1. Cruze Ah-Nau

Substitutes: 16. Tom Sexton, 17. Keita Inagaki, 18. Laurie Weeks, 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Jordy Reid, 21. Colby Fainga’a, 22. Luke Burgess, 23. Bryce Hegarty