Former Blitzbok head coach Neil Powell has only had a few weeks in his new position as Cell C Sharks director of rugby, but his impact has already been hailed by Siya Kolisi.
Powell took up his role a week after finishing his commitments with the national sevens side, joining the Sharks while they were on tour in the UK.
Now back in South Africa, Powell has spent the last week and a half immersing himself in training at Kings Park.
“It was good to have Neil involved as he takes a lot of pressure off the coaching staff – he manages everything off the field, and does the planning for the future, and that allows the coach [Sean Everitt] to focus on the rugby,” Kolisi said.
“Neil also played the game [as a scrumhalf for the Cheetahs and Vodacom Bulls], and gets involved on the training field and gets stuck in with the boys.
“Many of us have known Neil since we were teenagers, and we enjoy him … he is an honest and direct man, and we appreciate that.”
Kolisi was among the Springboks, who returned from Test duty for the Sharks in the 40-12 victory over Glasgow Warriors.
The Springbok captain says they followed the example set by Eben Etzebeth, who made a physical statement on his Sharks debut.
“We were happy to be back, and we had seen how the group had enjoyed themselves overseas in how they played,” he said.
“We had a week off after the Rugby Championship, then a week of integration, and we are very keen to add value.
“We were excited to play, and I really enjoyed coming on with a lot to still to do in the match. We saw how Eben was adding physicality, and we wanted to bring similar energy.
The Sharks next face Ulster in round six of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. The Irish side is coming off a thrilling 39-37 win at altitude over the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg and have veteran Bok No 8 Duane Vermeulen among their pack of forwards.
“Ulster are second on the log and have a very strong pack,” Kolisi said. “We have a big challenge ahead of us up front, especially at the contact area.
“But we have confidence in ourselves, we have quality players and we back each other to go flat out against Ulster.
“There will be no place to hide on Saturday, and we must all work hard and stand up for each other.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
