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The latest news and views from around the rugby world on Sunday, August 2
These are your headlines on the morning of Sunday, August 2.
Kolisi’s retirement hint
Siya Kolisi admits he has started to think about the day he retires from rugby, admitting it “will suck” but insisting he will know when the time is right to end his illustrious playing career.
The two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain is now 35-years-old but remains a key figure for South Africa under Rassie Erasmus, who has guided the Springboks to unprecedented success.
Kolisi was speaking during an interview with Erasmus for Smash Sports, titled From Zwide to World Champion, where the pair discussed everything from his upbringing to his remarkable rise to the top of world rugby.
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While retirement is beginning to enter his thoughts, Kolisi revealed he has no intention of following Erasmus into coaching once his playing days are over after getting a glimpse of what life is like in the coaches’ box.
“I will not be able to coach. No way,” he admitted.
“I sat once in his box, I was like, ‘Never’. I left it at half-time. I couldn’t.
“I also understand when they tell us stuff, what they see. I sat there against Argentina and I saw exactly what they see and it’s crazy.
“I would go crazy (as a coach). I couldn’t, I wouldn’t. I would be a manager maybe… I wouldn’t be able to coach. No, because some of the stuff I saw when I was watching I would go crazy to keep on saying the same thing over and over.”
Kolisi made his Springboks debut in 2013 and has captained the side since Erasmus’ first spell as head coach in 2018, leading South Africa to back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs in Japan and France.
Although he accepts the end of his career is drawing nearer, the flanker says his focus remains on getting the very best out of himself rather than comparing himself to the player he was a decade ago.
“I’m slowly thinking about it, but I don’t really because my focus is I still want to play until my body,” he said.
“I had a conversation with coach, and he said you don’t compare yourself to when you’re young. Try and be the best you can at the age that you’re at.
“And when I can’t (play) anymore, I’ll know, and he will know too.”
Kolisi added that while retirement will be an emotional moment, he is determined to leave the game with no regrets.
“That day will come and it will suck. Yes, it will hurt, but at least I know I can sleep on the fact that I gave everything while I had the opportunity.”
Knowles invests in club
Cornish Pirates have announced that BBC presenter Nick Knowles has invested in the club.
The English Championship club are embarking on a new era, with Knowles also having ambitions plans for the Cornish outfit.
The club have confirmed the DIY:SOS frontman has already brought in a film crew to produce a documentary series highlighting the importance of rugby to the area.
Fresh investment from the USA has recently been announced with J Kenneth Moritz and John H. Tippins, principals of Stonewood Capital Management, Inc, based in Pittsburgh.
In a statement released by the club, Knowles said: “It’s a very exciting time to be a player, or supporter of the Cornish Pirates. The team are top class and investors are seeing the potential of the club and the scenic, historic and proud independent region it represents.
“I think a series that brings all this to a wider new audience can only be good for the club and Cornwall’s economy.”
Knowles is an avid rugby supporter. He told Rugby World about his first game of rugby: “I was 11 years old and my brother was 18 and had started driving. He took me to my first England International at Twickenham against Ireland during the 1974 Five Nations. It was towards the end of Mike Gibson’s career. I remember my brother shouting, ‘Gibson, where’s your wheelchair?’ because he was so old. He scored two tries that day (in a 26-21 Ireland victory), which really hushed my brother up.
“This was 50 years ago, standing in a line watching bottles of Irish whiskey being passed along the line and taking a cheeky swig thinking, ‘this is the life!’”
Tigers suffer double blow
Leicester Tigers have announced that Emeka Ilione and Harry Palmer face long injury lay-offs.
The duo are expected to miss large chunks of the first half of the 2026/27 Gallagher Premiership campaign.
Twenty-four-year-old Ilione hasn’t played since January and has now been ruled out until at least the end of 2026.
“Unfortunately, Emeka’s shoulder injury is complex and hasn’t recovered as we hoped,” head coach Geoff Parling told the club website.
“He will see the specialist again in November, but for now we know that he will be out until at least the new year.”
Palmer, who has undergone a knee operation, will be absent until November.
“Harry had an operation towards the end of last season to deal with a long-standing knee issue, and although it is progressing well it is likely to be around November when we see him back in a Tigers shirt,” Parling added.
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