The Hollywoodbets Sharks take on the Vodacom Bulls in the last four this weekend, having come through a torturous quarter-final against Munster that went through 80 minutes, extra-time and a place-kicking competition to decide the winner.
The Sharks were on the right side of that kicking competition thanks to Jaden Hendrikse, his brother Jordan, and Bradley Davids. It was one of a number of tight games the Sharks have managed to win this season, and Kolisi points to that fact as proof the team is evolving in the right direction.
"Our progress has been good, but what we've learned about ourselves as a team is that we can fight. Especially in games like that," he said after the quarter-final in Durban.
"In previous years we would have lost those games. But the growth in the team, and in the squad, has been good. Even the guys who come in when others aren’t playing, they stand up and fight.
"At the end of the day, people can say what they want about the way we play, but the results are what matter.
"Of course a team wants to play well, but we were able to fight in Edinburgh, we fought at Ulster and those results matter because it’s really tough to win away, and we did it not playing our best rugby.
"We know we can be better as individuals and as a team. We're mindful of that but the most important thing is finding a way to win and if we keep winning by one point or a penalty shoot-out, we'll be fine with that."
The Sharks have played the Bulls twice already this season, coming out on top on both occasions, and Kolisi feels that also shows how deep the belief runs within the squad.
"When we played the Vodacom Bulls at home, there were a lot of guys who couldn’t play in that game, but those who did play stood up and fought," he said.
The Sharks will have plenty of Springboks experience to rely on at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am, Bongi Mbonambi and Andre Esterhuizen among others expected to feature in Pretoria.
Kolisi knows first-hand what they all bring to the table, and says they will be critical in ensuring there is no "panic" if things start going against the men from Durban.
"Their experience does help," said Kolisi. "You know because you’ve been there, but also because you talk to the other guys next to you.
"Panic will not help, it's all about calm heads; guys like Eben, Bongi and Andre all calm the guys down. Reminding their team-mates to do what they have to and to be present in the moment.
"If you look at the scoreboard and worry about it, or what's going to happen next in the game rather than what’s happening right now, that's when you lose the plot.
"That's when guys like Eben tell the guys to focus on the next job, that's all that matters.
"And while they are calm because they've been in these pressure situations before, the guys next to them might not have been there and that's when they remind them to focus."