Springbok and Western Province captain Siya Kolisi says he’s set on “starting fresh” after their disappointing 2020/21 season.
Kolisi and Province were looking to give their old hunting ground Newlands a memorable send-off before their relocation to Cape Town Stadium.
But instead they came up emptyhanded, being knocked out of the Currie Cup in the semifinals by the Sharks in what proved to be the final game at the grand old home of South African rugby.
Kolisi, who returned to captain the side for the playoff match after two weeks on sidelines due to Covid protocols, says he has adopted a new mindset for the new year.
In an interview with Red Bull, he says: “For me, personally, transitioning back on the field hasn’t been easy, we’ve carried over a lot of uncertainty from 2020.
“The last game at Newlands was supposed to be a big, special game and we were supposed to deliver.
“It’s been tough, but now I’m looking to start fresh. It’s a whole new year. It has to start first in your mind, and you’ve got to tell yourself ‘whatever has gone in the past, it is gone, it is done. I’m focusing on something new,’ and find other ways of getting yourself up.
“That’s what I’m looking towards with my family as well. I’m telling my kids ‘it’s going to be a different year no matter how’.”
Kolisi’s future has been the subject of speculation after his representatives, Roc Nation, helped in MVN Holdings’ takeover of the Sharks.
The US-backed MVN Holdings saw negotiations with WP Rugby collapse last year.