Sports presenters Nick Mallett and Naas Botha watch the big screen for a TMO FILE. Former South Africa flyhalf Naas Botha believes the best is still to come for Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi. SuperSport presenters Nick Mallett (left) and Naas Botha (right) Picture: Karen Sandison/Independent Media
Image: Karen Sandison/Independent Media
Despite his off-field issues, Siya Kolisi is still playing his best rugby insists former South Africa flyhalf Naas Botha.
In October, Siya and wife Rachel Kolisi announced their ‘decision to end their marriage’.
Turning out for the Sharks in a United Rugby Championship (URC) match a matter of days after the announcement, Kolisi did not seem to miss a single step as he produced another top performance.
The Sharks ran out convincing 41-24 victors over Munster, with Kolisi playing out of position at eighthman instead of flank.
Since then, Kolisi was with the Springboks in preparation for their November tour fixtures with matches against Scotland, England and Wales.
Coming away victorious in all three clashes, Kolisi is back with the Sharks and will wear the number eight jersey again against the Bulls in Durban in the URC on Saturday.
Speaking about how Kolisi has coped so far with his personal issues in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, Botha said: “Things like that depends on the individual. Sometimes you use it as motivation. And the best comes out of you. I'm not too interested in anybody's business outside of the field. Only what they can produce on the field,” said Botha.
“And to be honest, for the last two years, he's really, really been playing extremely well for South Africa. And that's all we ask as supporters.”
The 33-year-old Kolisi still had a major role to play for the Springboks, even with the next Rugby World Cup three years away, explained Botha.
“The thing is, there is a time to come and there is a time to go. It's definitely not his time to go yet. We can wait a little bit on that one.”
“It depends on the physical side. You know, a player will just wake up one morning … and we all do. And you just say, ‘This is enough’ At the moment, the way he's been playing, I don't think he can say it's enough. I still believe there's still a little bit of fire in the belly.”
“And as long as the fire is in the belly, you keep playing him. Because he's a fantastic captain. He's a great ambassador for South Africa.”
“And that's why I say, the off field [matters], that's his personal business. I'm interested on the field and he's great on the field.”