Doubt over Kolisi captaincy

Newly-appointed Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has admitted to being uncertain if Siya Kolisi will continue to be the Bok captain for much longer.

After South Africa’s 12-11 win over New Zealand in October’s final in France, Kolisi joined Paris outfit Racing 92.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Erasmus addressed the issue of Springbok captaincy.

“This is a unique situation and I think he [Kolisi] will play some Test matches, he certainly wants to, but we are not sure about the captaincy.”

“Siya is playing some of his best rugby, but I prefer to have my captain locally based as that allows for more interaction,” Erasmus said.

Kolisi left the Durban-based Sharks to make his move to France.

Erasmus, who was head coach for the 2019 victory, chose Kolisi as his captain in 2018 ahead of the World Cup in Japan, which meant he became South Africa’s first black skipper.

“In 2018 we had a roadmap for the players and we said, ‘where will this guy be in 2019, 2023 and 2027?'” said Erasmus, who was South Africa’s director of rugby for the 2023 World Cup.

“We know exactly which players can only last another year, and we have given them the task to help the youngsters before they leave.

“But it is a challenge to tell a player, ‘OK, you must stop now.’ We have guys in their 30s who believe they can win another World Cup.”

Kolisi is the second captain, after New Zealand’s Richie McCaw, to have won back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles.