Siya Kolisi embraces competition and family-driven Stormers return ahead of demanding Bok season

At 34, the two-time Rugby World Cup-winning skipper remains focused on longevity, insisting his immediate priority is maintaining peak physical condition as he looks to retain his place in the Springbok setup amid growing depth in the loose-forward ranks.

Kolisi acknowledged that the current crop of South African loose forwards is performing at an exceptionally high level across competitions, increasing pressure on established players to consistently deliver.

"I just want to be healthy," Kolisi said. "This break is important for me to rest properly so I can come back and fight for my place. The competition is tight and that's a good thing. Nobody can be comfortable because so many guys are having amazing seasons."

The Sharks forward heads into a brief United Rugby Championship hiatus following a strong run of form, which included helping the Durban outfit secure consecutive coastal derby victories over the Stormers — the team he will soon rejoin.

Kolisi's move back to Cape Town later this year marks a homecoming to the franchise where his professional career flourished over more than a decade. The decision, however, was rooted in personal priorities rather than professional dissatisfaction.

"I'm not leaving because I wasn't happy," he explained. "It's because of my kids. The Sharks and the people in Durban have been incredible to me, which made the decision really difficult. But Cape Town has always been special to me. It's where my career started and where I spent 11 years."

His return to the Stormers is unlikely to guarantee an automatic starting berth. Kolisi is expected to face stiff competition from a talented group of loose forwards that includes Paul de Villiers, Evan Roos, BJ Dixon and Marcel Theunissen.