WATCH | Captain Kolisi steps up at No.8, warns Boks can’t underrate Aussies

Cape Town – Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will play at No.8 for the first time in his Test career when South Africa face Australia at Ellis Park.

Usually a flanker, Kolisi said his role would change slightly in lineouts and scrums but he would stick to his usual game rather than trying to imitate bigger No.8s like Jasper Wiese or Duane Vermeulen.

“My role will change slightly in the lineouts and the scrums, but other than that I’ll be fulfilling my usual role,” Kolisi said.

“Playing No 8 at the Sharks certainly helped me, although the role here is different. I’m also not the same type of player as Jasper (Wiese) or Duane (Vermeulen) in terms of my size, so I’m going to give what I can offer.”

The message coming out of the Springbok camp is loud and clear – don’t underestimate Australia. South Africa are favourites to beat the Wallabies in their Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park. But captain Siya Kolisi believes it would be a big mistake to look beyond this… pic.twitter.com/YRywWsVLjK

— eNCA (@eNCA) August 16, 2025

Kolisi said that the Boks are fully focused on the Wallabies, who impressed against the British & Irish Lions, and not on future clashes with New Zealand.

He dismissed the idea of favourites, saying the team is concentrating on maintaining their own standards after reviewing recent performances.

Kolisi highlighted the breakdown battle as a key contest, noting that he, Marco van Staden, and Pieter-Steph du Toit, along with the whole team, will have a crucial role in that area.