Publications
- Bok captain Siya Kolisi says no player - including himself - will be assured of their spot in the national team.
- Kolisi was critical of the Springbok-laden Sharks' performance in their defeat to the Scarlets last weekend.
- He described their performance as "absolute nonsense" but is confident they'll be better against Munster this weekend.
Sharks skipper Siya Kolisi was scathing of their performance against Welsh side Scarlets last weekend.
A Springbok-laden Sharks outfit went down 32-20 in Llanelli to a team ranked 13th on the current URC standings.
Kolisi feared repeat performances like last Saturday could lead to himself - and his Bok team-mates - not making the national team later in the year.
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The Bok captain addressed reporters on Wednesday as the Sharks prepared for Saturday's Champions Cup round of 16 clash against Munster in Durban.
"At our recent camps the (Springbok) coaches told us what is expected of us as we build up to the World Cup," Kolisi said. "The most important message we received is that every one of us has to work ourselves into the team - nobody is guaranteed a place in the Springbok team.
"We do not know what that side is going to look like. For me, what's important now is making sure I don't play like I did last week. I have to be better this week (against Munster) and show I really want to get into the Bok team.
"That's why it's so important when we play at our unions we have to look the part and play our part because that's our ultimate goal."
Regarding their efforts in Wales last weekend, Kolisi added: "I just thought we weren't good as a unit. You could see we haven't played together as a unit.
"A couple of players had good moments, but as a team, we just didn't do well. We were not happy at all with the standard and it was absolute nonsense that we put out there.
"We are really disappointed in ourselves and it is one of those games where you just have to make peace with it.
"Nothing went our way and we didn't work hard enough to take the opportunities that we created.
"Before we left (Wales), we said we've got to leave it (the performance) there and come here with a different mindset and attitude in a different competition."
Kolisi was confident that the Sharks would set the record straight against Munster at Kings Park.
"Each individual has to be better," said Kolisi.
"We also disappointed our supporters. We want to make sure that we put in a much better performance against a strong side like Munster, who have done well in this competition.
"We are definitely motivated. Also, it's a playoff and if you lose then you are out.
"We want to make sure that we put in a proper performance and give ourselves a chance to go to a quarter-final."
Saturday's clash kicks off at 13:30.
