‘The team comes first’ – Siya Kolisi’s honest response after Peter O’Mahony’s axing

Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi said he does not expect Andy Farrell’s decision to axe experienced back-row Peter O’Mahony from his starting line-up to weaken Ireland in Saturday’s second Test in Durban.

After suffering a 27-20 defeat in the opening clash in Pretoria last week, Six Nations champions Ireland are determined to draw their two-Test series against the world champions.

Four changes from Ireland

Farrell has made four alterations to his run-on side after that encounter with three of those enforced by injuries, while O’Mahony‘s relegation to the bench came as the biggest surprise after he captained the men from the Emerald Isle at Loftus Versfeld.

Tadhg Beirne shifts from lock to the blindside flank while James Ryan comes into the second-row with inside centre Bundee Aki (shoulder), scrum-half Craig Casey (concussion) and hooker Dan Sheehan (knee) also missing out on selection.

Aki’s injury means Garry Ringrose comes in to start at outside centre while his Leinster team-mate Robbie Henshaw will wear the number 12 shirt with Conor Murray replacing Casey and Ronan Kelleher coming in for Sheehan.

Kolisi does not expect O’Mahony’s demotion to have a negative effect on Ireland’s approach.

“I think it’s a big thing for people out there, but as players we know that the team comes first,” said the Bok flanker. “I have had similar experiences. There have been matches where I have been substituted at half-time because that is what the team needed.

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“Peter knows how important this game is and I’m sure he has accepted that and will want the boys to do well.”

Kolisi is preparing for a massive onslaught from his opponents.

“We are playing to win the series and they are playing to tie it. The intensity will be there from the outset and it will come down to which team makes the best use of its chances,” he said.

Meanwhile, with Murray set to start, Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick expects plenty of high kicks from Ireland but, although the Boks wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse are small in stature, he is confident they can deal with the potential aerial bombardment.

‘A seasoned player’

“Murray is usually sent up to manage the game at the end. He is a seasoned player and kicks well,” said Stick.

“We’re probably going to be tested a bit under the high ball, because that’s what Murray does best. If Ireland’s kicking tactics are spot on and we’re not at our best, it’s going to be a long day.”

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