FILE - Captain Siya Kolisi will continue to lead the Springboks in 2025.
Image: Franck Fife / AFP
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus says Siya Kolisi will continue as captain this year despite the double World Cup-winning flank turning 34 on Youth Day - June 16 - this year.
Erasmus handed Kolisi the captaincy in 2018 when he took over the Springboks. The Zwide-born flank then became the first black man to lead the Boks onto the field he ran out in front in a Test match against England at Ellis Park in June that year.
Since then, Kolisi has been instrumental in the Springboks’ success, with the team winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups, getting a series victory over the British and Irish Lions and winning a couple of Rugby Championship titles.
There was some doubt about Kolisi’s future as Bok captain last year after he decided to move to France after the 2023 World Cup. At the time Erasmus said that he prefers his captain to playing in South Africa, which sparked speculation about Kolisi’s future.
However, Kolisi was emphatically backed by the coach to continue last year, even after a torrid spell in France, which saw him return to play for the Sharks. The flank that repaid faith with a brilliant international season for the Boks.
With just over two years to go before the next Rugby World Cup in Australia, Kolisi is one of the Boks’ golden generation players in their 30s looking to make one more trip to rugby’s greatest dance.
Being Springbok captain is arguably up there with the country’s presidency in terms of importance. It’s something Erasmus has come to realise over the last seven years since taking over the team.
“The (Springbok) captaincy is a big thing in South Africa. When I started out it wasn’t a big thing for me, because I believe we all take ownership and support the captain,” Erasmus said.
“But the icon and the person Siya has become to South Africans definitely shifted my mindset on that.”
For now, Erasmus is backing Kolisi to continue to lead the Boks. However, he was quite straightforward about what he expects from his captain this year.
Kolisi will have to work as hard as other players and perform to be able to keep his job, never mind his place in the team.".
“Our feeling is if a guy is 34, 35, 36, injury free and the fittest and in the best shape, then he will remain the number in his position and stay captain,” Erasmus said.
“Obviously there are some other options. Eben (Etzebeth), Bongi (Mbonambi) and Pieter-Steph (du Toit) have been captains. But if Siya is fit, healthy and playing well, then I don’t think there will be a change this year.”
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