Kolisi getting back to his best

Cape Town - Siya Kolisi took a while to warm up to Super Rugby this year after a pre-season ankle injury saw him come off the bench for the first two matches against the Bulls and Cheetahs. 

That had initially opened the door for Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who donned the No 6 jersey in those first two matches while Schalk Burger was at No 7 and Nizaam Carr at No 8. 

Now back to full fitness, Kolisi has started all of the Stormers' last three matches at No 7 and he feels like he is moving in the right direction again. 

Coach Robbie Fleck has shown, in his five team selections so far this season, that the Stormers are flexible when it comes to their loose forwards - Burger and Carr having both started at No 8 and on the side of the scrum.

Kolisi says that the flexibility is part of what makes this a special bunch of loose forwards. 

"For us it’s going well. We all know what’s happening every week and the coach is speaking to us," he said this week.

"Guys are getting rested every week … it doesn’t matter where I want to play.

"We’re all comfortable playing any position in the loose forwards.

"A guy like Schalk has been playing for years and he never complains when he gets changed to another position. We walk together and try to get better every week."

Kolisi is also enjoying his new role as a senior player within the side and the responsibility that comes with that.

"I’ve been a junior for quite a while and now he’s (Fleck) given me more responsibility,." said Kolisi.

"There are no juniors in this team … we’ve all got voices.

"There are no egos … even when we sit in a meeting or a meal. Everyone says what they want to, there is no separation between the more experienced guys and the younger guys."

Kolisi was a member of the match-day squad when the Springboks were stunned by Japan in their 2015 World Cup tournament opener.

With the Sunwolves up next for the Stormers at Newlands on Friday, there are few who would know the potential that the Japanese possess more than Kolisi does. 

"I’ve tried to forget what happened," he said.

"We’ve been preparing for them (Sunwolves) since last week again. All the guys are focused and excited. It’s going to be a tough challenge and you can never underestimate them."

Kick-off on Friday is at 19:00.