Siya Kolisi’s leadership worth ‘five to 10 points’, says Dan Biggar

Former Wales great Dan Biggar believes Siya Kolisi’s influence as South Africa captain can be worth “five to 10 points” to the Springboks after praising his performance in their second Test against New Zealand.

Kolisi returned to the South Africa side for Saturday’s second Test of the Greatest Rivalry Series in Cape Town and made a major impact during his time on the field.

The Springboks captain scored an important try, carried strongly across the pitch and produced a powerful tackle on All Blacks captain Ardie Savea.

Biggar, who spoke on his Biggar Thinking Podcast, said Kolisi’s contribution went far beyond his individual performance. He believes the 33-year-old is both an outstanding rugby player and an inspirational figure for South Africa.

“The way in which he carried, the way in which he defended, smoking people, carrying, dragging the team with him. I thought he was brilliant,” Biggar said on his Biggar Thinking Podcast.

“I don’t think he gets enough credit for his ability as a rugby player. I thought he was brilliant. I thought he was brilliant against Argentina for that 20, 25 minutes that he played a few weeks ago.

“I just think for me, when you have Siya Kolisi, that type of leader, inspirational person on the field, I think it’s worth five to 10 points.

“I think you saw the leadership, the way in which he, even when he was off the pitch, dragging teams, teammates forward, pointing at posts, deciding, you know, just being an out-and-out leader.”

Biggar highlighted the way Kolisi continued to influence the Springboks even when he was not actively involved in play. The former Wales international said the captain’s presence helped drive his team-mates forward and ensured South Africa remained focused on the decisions required during the match.

Kolisi’s return came after he had played only 20 or 25 minutes for South Africa against Argentina a few weeks earlier, another performance Biggar felt demonstrated his quality as a player.

The Springboks captain will lead his country again in the third Test against New Zealand in Soweto on Saturday. South Africa and New Zealand are level at 1-1 in the four-Test series, leaving the next match as a pivotal contest in the Greatest Rivalry Series.

Kolisi will once again be expected to set the tone for the hosts, both through his work around the field and through the leadership Biggar believes can have a significant effect on the score.

Kick-off at the Calabash is scheduled for 17:10.

The praise comes as attention remains focused on the Springboks’ preparations for the decisive stages of the series, with Kolisi’s leadership central to South Africa’s hopes of taking the advantage before the final Test.

Related coverage includes a feature on the boyhood idols of Springbok players, from Ricky January to Faf, and a report that SA Airlink cancelled the planned Greatest Rivalry Calabash flypast amid a safety probe.

Oom Rugby also examines the truth about the Springbok defence.