Stormers flanker Siya Kolisi hasn’t played a competitive game of rugby (Super Rugby warm-up games notwithstanding) since the 23rd July 2016. He injured his ankle in the 4th minute of the Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Chiefs at Newlands and was out for the rest of the season. It was a bitter blow for the big man, who had started in all three of the Tests against Ireland and looked a certainty for blindside flanker in the Rugby Championship. He’s battled with injury over the years – a thumb in 2012, a shoulder and then a knee in 2014, and the ankle in 2016. But he says after the six-month break, he’s come through the pre-season training without a niggle and desperate to get back on to the field. He’s been given an extra responsibility after Stormers’ captain Juan de Jongh tore his medial collateral ligament in a warm-up game against the Lions at Newlands earlier this month. He’ll be out of action for three months, which meant coach Robbie Fleck needed to appoint a new captain. Kolisi has been part of the leadership group in the team, so it was no surprise that he’s been given the captain’s armband for the season. – David O’Sullivan
From Sport24
Loose forward Siya Kolisi has been appointed as captain of the Stormers in 2017, with lock Eben Etzebeth his vice-captain.
The 25-year-old has earned 76 caps for the Stormers since making his debut in 2012 and will be ably assisted by his good friend and fellow Springbok Etzebeth.
Both players have walked a long road together within the structures of Western Province Rugby since attending the Western Province Rugby Institute in 2010, along with the likes of Frans Malherbe, Nizaam Carr and Scarra Ntubeni who are all still their team-mates.
Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that Kolisi will be well supported by a strong core of senior players within the squad as they tackle a demanding 2017 Vodacom Super Rugby campaign.
“We have developed a number of strong leaders in this group, so Siya will certainly not be shouldering the responsibility on his own, but we felt it important to appoint someone who the team can rally around.
“Although still quite young, Siya is already an experienced player who has matured both on and off the field and is one of the most popular and respected players in our squad,” he said.
The appointment of @kolisi1 as captain an inspired call by the Stormers. Hard as nails and hard-nosed, someone the team will rally around.
— Clinton van der Berg (@ClintonV) February 21, 2017
Kolisi said that it is an honour to be asked to captain the Stormers, which is a responsibility that he does not take lightly.
“There have been some great players who have led the DHL Stormers out at DHL Newlands, so for me to be amongst them is both a great privilege and a great responsibility.
“With the support of Eben and the rest of the senior players in the squad I am confident that we can create something special that our fans can be proud of,” he said.
Etzebeth said that having played alongside Kolisi in a Stormers jersey for five seasons, he is looking forward to the new challenge that lies ahead of them.
“Siya and I have played together for a long time and I am honoured to stand beside him as we look to take the Stormers to the next level,” he said. – Sport24
Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/kolisi-named-stormers-skipper-20170221
