Springboks legend Schalk Burger has shared his thoughts on Siya Kolisi’s recent positional change for the Sharks. Kolisi, who returned to South Africa after a brief stint with French club Racing 92, has been performing well both at the international level and in his club appearances for the Sharks. This season, he has been deployed as a number eight, a role he had not played regularly since early in his career.
Kolisi initially started his professional rugby journey as a number eight when Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus first recognized his potential. However, over time, he became more synonymous with the flanker position, excelling in that role for both club and country. Recently, Sharks head coach John Plumtree has opted to utilize Kolisi as a number eight, selecting him in this position in three of his four starts during the United Rugby Championship and the Investec Champions Cup. This includes a standout performance against Exeter Chiefs, where Kolisi scored two tries.
Schalk Burger, who himself played various back-row positions throughout his career, including number eight, believes the switch could benefit Kolisi as he enters the latter stages of his playing career. Burger explained that playing at number eight requires less intense physical output compared to the demands of an openside flanker, which could help Kolisi conserve energy and manage his workload.
Speaking on the Box Office podcast, Burger stated, “Number eight is one of those positions where, as you get older, you can pick your battles. You don’t have to work as hard as you do as an openside flank, where you’re constantly in the thick of things. This change allows Siya to save his energy while still making a big impact.”
Burger was full of praise for Kolisi, highlighting how the Springboks captain has continued to evolve his skillset with age. At 33 years old, Kolisi is at the latter end of his career, but Burger noted that he is still improving. “Siya is one of those rare players who seems to get better as he gets older. His skillset is improving, and he looks fantastic in open play,” Burger remarked.
Kolisi, for his part, has embraced the move back to number eight, a position he played during his school days when Erasmus first spotted him. Reflecting on his new role, Kolisi expressed enthusiasm, saying, “I’m loving it. This is where I started my rugby journey, at eighth man. It’s great to be back in this position, getting more ball in my hands and being more involved in the game.”
While Kolisi’s transition to number eight has been met with positive feedback, Burger also commented on the Sharks’ inconsistency as a team this season. Despite their explosive moments, such as scoring long-range tries, the Sharks often struggle with discipline and maintaining momentum throughout matches. Burger highlighted these lapses, stating, “The Sharks have been inconsistent this season. They have brilliant moments where they score incredible tries, but they often lose focus, conceding unnecessary points, especially in the last 20 minutes.”
Kolisi’s return to number eight has sparked discussions about how positional adjustments can extend a player’s career while optimizing their contributions. As Kolisi continues to adapt to his role, the Sharks will look to address their inconsistencies and improve their overall performance in the URC and Champions Cup.