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Champions Cup: Siya Kolisi demands improvement from Sharks against Munster

Sharks captain Siya Kolisi has called for an improved performance from his side when they host Munster in the Champions Cup round-of-16 encounter in Durban on Saturday.

The flanker did not pull any punches when assessing his side’s display in last weekend’s defeat to the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship and believes his team let themselves down in that fixture.

Despite being boosted by the return of Kolisi and several other Springboks – who were back in action after several weeks on the sidelines due to SA Rugby’s rest protocols for the national team’s players – the Sharks suffered a 32-20 loss to the Welsh region.

Not good enough

“We weren’t good as a unit, you could see we hadn’t played together as a unit, and I thought as a team, we weren’t good,” Kolisi told the Sharks’ official website.

“A few players had individual good moments, but as a team, we didn’t do well, and we weren’t happy at all with the standard, that was absolute nonsense what we put out there and we’re really disappointed in ourselves.

“We all agreed after that game that we have to come with a different mindset and attitude against Munster.”

After last weekend’s disappointing performance, the Sharks are determined to right their wrongs in one of the world’s premier cup competitions.

“We disappointed ourselves, each individual has to be better,” said Kolisi. “We disappointed the team and together as a unit we have to be better. And for our supporters, we want to make sure we put in a much better performance this weekend. We’re definitely motivated.”

Kolisi is aware of what is at stake against Munster and expects a tough challenge from the Irish province.

“Munster are a strong side who have done well in this competition and this match is a knock-out: you lose, you’re out. We want to make sure we put in a proper performance to give ourselves the chance to get to the quarter-finals,” he said.

“They’re an amazing side with a very strong attack, they hold on to the ball for longer than most teams in the competition. They’re also good at the breakdown, on attack and defence, and they have the quickest ruck speed in the tournament.

“They have a strong pack, made up of Irish internationals, so there is so much that we need to look out for. They’re a great team, they play well together and they know what they are all about.”

Can’t repeat their Scarlets performance

Regarding his own team, Kolisi admitted that they can ill afford a similar performance to the one they delivered against the Scarlets.

“We just need to be at our best in everything that we do,” added the 31-year-old. “The biggest thing for us is to make sure we get up for the game and make sure we are aware at all times, because they can do anything, especially at set-piece time with all their trick plays.”

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