Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin has revealed the positive effect Siya Kolisi has had on his team.
The Springbok skipper Kolisi recently spent time with the team, and has always been a strong advocate of the women’s game.
Kolisi has helped out during a number of training sessions at Hamilton's Rugby Club in Cape Town while on his break following the Rugby Championship.
The Springbok women lost 23-19 to Italy in their WXV 2 clash at Athlone Stadium over the weekend.
Best memories
“He is an unreal guy and I have so much respect for him. If I think of my days with the Springboks with Siya, it was the best memories,” De Bruin told SportsBoom.com.
“He comes here and does not charge us a cent, he spends hours and hours with the ladies. That's the kind of guy he is, trying to help them improve and give them ideas.
“When he is around, it’s like an injection of adrenaline for everyone.”
In their WXV 2 match against Australia about two weeks ago, also at Athlone Stadium, Kolisi led the women’s team out onto the pitch. Though the South Africans lost that contest 33-26, it was still a moment to remember with Kolisi’s involvement.
"At the game [vs Australia] he walked out with the captain on to the field. He is really a fantastic human being, I don't think he realises what he means to us.”
De Bruin who previously worked as a Springbok assistant coach for the men’s team, said it was a welcome change to now be working with the women’s side.
"You know I learn a lot being in this environment with the women. I mean I taught Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux and those guys, and with these ladies everything you tell them and show them, they soak it in.
“They want to learn more and their learning spirit is unreal. It's a very fulfilling job to coach women's rugby in the sense that they just want to learn.”
"It just shows if they are willing to learn, they will go places. That is why the growth is there because they are coachable."