Stormers coach John Dobson says Siya Kolisi’s return has already made a significant difference to the team, both through his leadership and his physical presence.
Kolisi has joined the Stormers immediately after completing his Springbok duties and will start against Edinburgh on Friday, despite the South African side beginning their United Rugby Championship campaign with a two-match overseas tour.
Dobson said Kolisi’s influence extended well beyond his work at openside flank.
“He’s not an out-and-out stealer; he gets turnovers through his tackling and counter-rucking. In terms of leadership, he’s got a big role to play, probably around the integration of the Springboks and setting standards. I could see him in the warm-up last week … His presence, just the smile and the songs and everything, it lifts the team.
“But there’s no question that the rugby contribution is what we’re after and what we need tomorrow.”
The Stormers coach also highlighted the 35-year-old’s physical development since leaving the Cape club.
“What I can’t get over with Siya, and it’s going to sound like a silly point, is the size of him. He’s an openside flank, maybe not the world’s most traditional openside flank, but he’s a big beast.
“He’s certainly a bigger man than he was when he left here. He’s a really big presence, and I think that’s going to be useful on the 4G.”
Dobson wants his side to finish the tour with a victory before returning to Cape Town for four successive home matches.
“Last week’s performance against Connacht was encouraging in many ways, but we would like to see a more ruthless edge to our game, which we have worked on this week.
“We know that Edinburgh is a tough place to play and we have some experience coming in, with Siya, Ntuthuko (Mchunu) and Stefan (Ungerer) included along with Yaqeen Ahmed and Wandile Mlaba, who are both really exciting young players.
“It will take a big effort from all 23 players to get the result before we go back to Cape Town for what will be a crucial period in the context of our season,” he said.
Edinburgh v Stormers
Date: Friday, 2 October 2026
Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
SA Time: 20:45
Referee: Eoghan Cross
TV: SuperSport
Edinburgh: 15 Piers O’Conor, 14 Malelili Satala, 13 Matt Currie (co-captain), 12 Kienan Higgins, 11 Geordie Gwynn, 10 James Grayson, 9 Hector Patterson, 8 Magnus Bradbury (co-captain), 7 Freddy Douglas, 6 Liam McConnell, 5 Glen Young, 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 2 Harri Morris, 1 Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Euan McVie, 20 Tom Currie, 21 Conor McAlpine, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Rory McHaffie.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Adre Smith, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Andre Warner, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
