Siya Kolisi recalls famous comeback against England that 'changed my life'

Next Saturday's clash at Ellis Park will be Kolisi's 72nd game in charge, but he will still be leaning on some of the experience he gained during his very first game in charge - a remarkable comeback win against England at the same venue eight years ago.

The Springboks trailed 24-3 early in the contest before producing a stunning second-half fightback to claim a 42-39 victory, a defining early moment that helped win over the South African public to their new captain.

"That 2018 match was a huge learning opportunity for me, and it obviously changed my life. I remember it was very tough and emotional," Kolisi said.

"I think the emotions got the better of me. I struggled a bit, but the team did well, and I had so many great leaders around me.

"That was where I actually learned how to use the people around me. I remember England went 21 points up, and everybody looked at me under the posts. I said: 'I have no answers.' Then I looked at the guy next to me and asked: 'Do you have something to say?'"

The moment may have momentarily rocked his confidence, but he learned to trust in his fellow players and coaches, the plans they were putting in place and the confidence they were placing in him.

"We were learning a new defensive system, and a lot was going on," he remembered. "Jacques (Nienaber) was standing under the posts, screaming at us not to stop doing what we were doing.

"Rassie has known me since I was 18 years old. He knew I would struggle at the beginning, and he put systems in place that allowed me to focus on what I needed to do. Now I'm able to share that with the other guys when they're in the leadership group as well."

Meanwhile, much has been made of the new blood in the Springbok line-up, and veteran Kolisi believes the increased competition is raising standards across the squad.

"Complacency can creep in when there's nobody there to take your place. That's not the case with us," he added.

"There are so many guys on the same level. We are competing, but at the same time, we are helping each other because the team comes first.

"When we trained with the Under-20 group, the intensity was really high because they are fearless and they don't know what the limit is. What we're seeing from them... Coach Rassie can call on them at any time now if something happens to any of us, and that's a good thing."