He’s done it before, so will ‘King Kolisi’ silence his critics on Bok credentials?

SIYA KOLISI hasn’t exactly been “King Kolisi” this season.

In fact, his year has been quite the opposite of his outstanding outings last year. Okay, maybe not the opposite, but certainly not as superb.

In 2017, Kolisi (pictured) was immense. And while he hasn’t been poor this season, he is yet to reach the heights of last year.

The Stormers skipper’s 2018 form has perhaps dented his credibility when it comes to the Springbok captaincy. And there have also been questions asked regarding his starting berth in the Bok team against England.

But when Kolisi leads his team against the Sunwolves at the Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday, it will be another chance for him to remind us of his brilliance. It will be another chance for him to silence his critics.

He should use the away game and the home fixture against the Lions which follows, to show just why he is such a quality player. Add some of that skill, some of that footwork, some of that attacking knowhow, some of that powerful defence.

He should just add some Kolisi. Some 2017 Kolisi, because he’s shown that he can.

Remember his performance against France in Durban?

Few rugby images in 2017 were more iconic than the one that depicted Kolisi celebrating his try-scoring brilliance against the French. A celebratory fire show provided the perfect backdrop, and his teammates running in and jumping onto the elated scorer sure made the picture even more special.

All of that – from Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth and Malcolm Marx celebrating with Kolisi to the fireworks – all of that made it a special image to capture. But there’s no doubt that Kolisi owned it.

You see, that performance by Kolisi and everything he did in that game, everything that led to that stunning picture, was the perfect culmination of a series of great 2017 outings for Kolisi. It was the best performance of his career at any level. And after the game, Kolisi said that it was the best he had ever felt after a game.

Before he scored that try, which came after the French dropped a loose pass in their own 22, Kolisi scooped the ball up, set his sights on the try-line and from there on he just had to sprint. Sprint his way to the highlight of the game. And he also set up a try with a stunning break and a top offload. But that wasn’t all he did. He was immense at Kings Park on the day that formed part of the resurgence of the Boks (or so we thought). That try was fantastic, but he also made several crucial turnovers and his work on defence was outstanding. He was always ready to pounce. He was electric. And what made his showing in June last year even better was the fact that in the 12 months before that Kolisi – just like many others in the Bok set-up – wasn’t a guaranteed a spot.

Wearing the Stormers’ captain’s armband certainly did him well. He flourished in the leadership role with the Stormers, and it showed when he reported for duty with then-coach Allister Coetzee’s Boks.

And there’s no reason why he can’t do it again.