Siya will stay captain as long as he's first choice

Posted : 06 March 2025

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has reflected on his changing perspective regarding captaincy since taking the reins in 2018. Initially, Erasmus did not view the role as critical, believing that South Africa had enough leaders on the field. However, after appointing Siya Kolisi as captain, Erasmus saw the significant impact of the role and now recognizes its importance.

Before Kolisi's appointment, Duane Vermeulen was considered a strong candidate for captaincy. Yet, Erasmus chose Kolisi to lead the team in his first series against England, with Pieter-Steph du Toit temporarily stepping in as captain for the exhibition game against Wales. At the time, Erasmus had limited knowledge of the South African players, and Kolisi’s leadership has since exceeded his expectations.

Erasmus admits that he underestimated du Toit at first, but the latter proved himself as a vital player under Erasmus’ guidance. Similarly, Kolisi has impressed not only as a player but as a leader, establishing a strong connection with the South African public. With Kolisi’s leadership, the team has thrived, and Erasmus acknowledges that moving on from Kolisi’s role as captain will not be easy.

Looking ahead, Kolisi will be 36 by the time of the 2027 World Cup. Erasmus is aware that many key players will be in their thirties by then, so he has focused on developing a wide pool of talent. This includes selecting over 50 players for the 2024 season and giving younger players like Salmaan Moerat captaincy opportunities to prepare for the future.

Erasmus has emphasized the importance of succession planning, acknowledging that some players may not be able to keep up in the coming years. While the World Cup remains a priority, Erasmus is committed to ensuring that players who are still performing at a high level remain part of the team, regardless of their age or contract situation.

To address these concerns, Erasmus is expanding his pool of players through national alignment camps. By bringing in a larger squad, he aims to ensure the team has depth and experience while providing younger players with opportunities to prove themselves. This broad selection approach reflects his goal of ensuring that the team remains competitive at all levels.

Regarding Kolisi, Erasmus insists that the captaincy will remain his as long as he is fit and the best player in his position. While other players have filled in as captain, including Eben Etzebeth, Erasmus has made it clear that Kolisi’s leadership role will not change unless necessary due to injury or loss of form.

Siya will stay captain as long as he's first choice

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