News24 | ‘Nervous’ Springbok skipper Kolisi helps Racing to Top 14 summit on debut

Siya Kolisi on the charge for Racing 92. (Photo by Christian Liewig – Corbis/Getty Images)

• Springbok captain Siya Kolisi made his French Top 14 debut on Sunday.
• Kolisi helped Racing 92 beat La Rochelle 32-10 to move to the top of the table.
• Kolisi admitted to feeling the nerves beforehand.
• For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.

South Africa’s two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi said he had been nervous before tasting victory on his Racing 92 debut as they beat La Rochelle 32-10 in Paris to take over the number one spot in the French Top 14 table.

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A month after lifting the Webb Ellis Cup up the road at the Stade de France, 32-year-old Kolisi played 54 minutes at openside flanker as Racing claimed their sixth win after just eight games of the season to go above surprise package Pau.

“I was quite nervous before the game because your reputation and all that you do can only take you so far,” Kolisi told reporters.

“The guys only respect you by what you do on the field and that’s what I wanted to do, play well and add value with what I do on the field.

“It’s going to be tough for me to stamp my authority but I’m going to give my best,” h