Siya Kolisi discusses injury recovery ahead of Springboks Test

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has addressed the mental challenges of recovering from repeated injuries ahead of the second Test against the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium. The 35-year-old flanker has faced significant setbacks in 2026, including hamstring issues that limited his playing time.

Kolisi stated that the physical injury is often less difficult than the mental battle of wondering if future opportunities will arise. Despite his recent injury history, he dismissed speculation regarding his retirement, noting his desire to continue playing as long as he is physically able. He also expressed confidence in the depth of the South African player pipeline.

Kolisi cited teammate Pieter-Steph du Toit as an inspiration, noting Du Toit’s ability to return to the field for his 100th Test cap following major ACL injuries.