Springbok hugs are just different, says captain Siya Kolisi on Lood de Jager return

The Springboks are in high spirits ahead of the first international match of the season against the Barbarians in Cape Town next Saturday.

Captain Siya Kolisi said on Wednesday that although they are not looking too far ahead into the international season, the players are happy to be back in camp and the ‘family’ environment of the national set-up.

It’s their second week together as the world champions fine-tune their preparations for the friendly against the Barbarians at the Cape Town Stadium, ahead of double Tests against Italy and a once-off encounter versus Georgia in July.

According to Kolisi, they have been sweating on the training field as they look to take in as much as possible from their coaches before they shift to the match-day week.

“Training is as hard as games... sometimes, it’s even harder,” Kolisi said about being drilled by the Bok coaches.

“Felix (Jones, assistant coach) is back, and he’s always on our case and shouting,” the captain added with a laugh, explaining how the Irishman drills them to get the best out of them.

“When we did the fitness test (last week), he was always pushing you to get yourself there.

“You try and get yourself there, and you are dead (tired) by the end of it. And then he says, ‘you did well’.

“That is all they want from us: to give our best and not worry about mistakes. Nobody makes a mistake on purpose. You play (your rugby) in safety here.

“They want us to play at this intensity, so they train us to get to that intensity. That is the nice thing, and I enjoy being here.”

Kolisi said it was good to see a well-known face like Lood de Jager back in the set-up.

The Japan-based lock missed the last couple of seasons with a heart condition, pericarditis, and a shoulder injury.

But he is back in the mix and ready to contribute to the side.

The captain added that it is always tough for the players to leave the Bok set-up at the end of the season.

“Playing here is not forever, and somewhere along the line, it is going to end. So, we appreciate it a whole lot more when we get back in camp. When you see a guy like Lood after such a long time, it is special,” Kolisi said.

“The hugs are just different; I don’t know how to explain it. He (De Jager) was punching me, and I asked him, ‘Why are you hitting me’, and he said, ‘Because I am excited to see you’.

“He was greeting everyone with a smile on his face. He knows how it feels when you are not here.

“That is the kind of environment we have. We see the management joke with each other.

“It makes it a proper family, and a safe space for a lot of us. That is why we can work that hard when they push us on the field.”