Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has hinted that a new captain will lead South Africa in 2025.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has hinted that a new captain will lead South Africa in 2025.
Siya Kolisi will skipper the Boks in their opening game of the year against the Barbarians, a non-capped fixture, and while Erasmus says that the double World Cup-winner will continue to lead the side there is an opportunity for a fresh face.
Kolisi is entering the twilight of his career at the age of 34 and looks set to continue to play at the highest level as the Boks build towards their World Cup title defence.
Springboks captaincy
Erasmus has repeatedly stated that the older guard will remain in the team as long as they are fit and continue to be the best in their position, but as shown last year, the head coach is testing the depth of South Africa’s playing squad.
50 players pulled on the Green and Gold jumper last year, with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth both captaining the side along with Kolisi. Meanwhile, Salmaan Moerat became the latest Springboks captain when he led the team against Portugal, becoming the 66th player to skipper the Boks.
Speaking at the first alignment camp of the year, Erasmus said that the full-time captaincy is unlikely to be taken away from Kolisi.
Speaking at the first alignment camp of the year, Erasmus said that the full-time captaincy is unlikely to be taken away from Kolisi.
“If Siya is fit, healthy and in the best possible shape that he can be, I don’t think there will be a change this year,” he said.
However, Kolisi won’t be playing every single one of South Africa’s games this year and Erasmus feels as though there is an opportunity to hand the armband to a younger player.
In this game, Siya will be captain obviously and Jesse will be vice-captain,” Erasmus said ahead of the clash against the Barbarians.
“We’re thinking that we might save Damian de Allende a little bit and get Andre Esterhuizen on, so hopefully, Jesse goes through and can fill in when Siya goes off.
If you think about it Pieter-Steph has been captain, Bongi, Eben and Salmaan too, while De Allende has been vice-captain a lot of times.
