Picking Siya was a total ‘no-brainer’

Western Province coach John Dobson doesn’t believe he is gambling by throwing captain Siya Kolisi straight back into the mix after an absence of two months.

In one of two changes to the team that played last time out, Kolisi returns at flank and takes over the leadership from prop Steven Kitshoff for Western Province’s opening Currie Cup clash at Newlands against the Blue Bulls on Saturday.

Kolisi hasn’t played rugby since tearing his hamstring against the Lions at Loftus on SuperFan Saturday at the end of September, but Dobson believes Kolisi is ready to rumble.

“Siya is probably one of the most physical No 6s around so it was actually a no-brainer,” said

Dobson.

“We also don’t have the luxury of testing a player in a SuperSport Challenge game, so mostly when the guys return from injury they have to move straight back into the mix,” he added.

Kolisi said he was excited to be back, but admitted he might not make the full 80 minutes.

“I really missed it when I was away and that’s why I even acted as a water boy a week ago,” he said. “But I’m feeling ready to go and will rely on the coach to determine how long I go.”

In the one other change to the starting lineup, Seabelo Senatla returns on the right wing for Ruhan Nel, while prop Ali Vermaak and flank Jaco Coetzee are back on the extended bench.

Dobson meanwhile said he expected the Bulls to play the same style of rugby that saw them win the Super Rugby Unlocked title a week ago.

“Listen, the Bulls deserved to win it and they showed it by smashing us and the Sharks at Loftus, but we have hopefully grown from that 39-6 loss (suffered at Loftus a few weeks ago) and are in a much better space at the moment,” he said.