Earlier this year, Rassie Erasmus made it clear that the Springbok captaincy would understandably remain in the hands of Siya Kolisi for the foreseeable future.
“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,” Erasmus commented at one of the first team alignment camps of the year.
However, it shouldn’t be overlooked that this year alone the Springboks could play as many as 15 Tests, and Kolisi certainly won’t start in every game as the national coaches look to manage him through to the next World Cup.
And as the Springboks now prepare to kick off their 2025 season with a game against the Barbarians this Saturday, Erasmus has revealed some interesting insights when it comes to the team captaincy.
For one, the Springbok coach mentioned that Cheslin Kolbe will serve as vice-captain in Cape Town, and he will likely take on this leadership responsibility for the first time when Kolisi is replaced.
And although the Springboks know what they have in other leaders like Bongi Mbonambi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lukhanyo Am, Eben Etzebeth and Salmaan Moerat, there could be another surprise in store some time this year.
“I also think it’s time to give some of the young blood the feeling of captaining the squad in certain Test matches,” Erasmus revealed this week.
This could certainly bring someone like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu or Vincent Tshituka into the captaincy equation at some point.
Another Springbok captaincy consideration to keep in mind
It can’t be forgotten hat Kolisi has already led South Africa in 61 Tests to date, currently placing him as the second-most capped Springbok captain of all time, with John Smit the far and away leader after serving as skipper in 83 Tests.
If Kolisi does play through to the next World Cup, though, there is every chance he will end up captaining the Springboks in at least 23 more Tests between now and the end of 2027, which could certainly see him end up as the most capped Springbok captain of all time.
It does make for an interesting subplot, especially as Kolisi also approaches the incredible milestone of reaching 100 Test caps for the Springboks, which is now just eight games away.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE INTERESTING INSIGHTS?
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