SIYA Kolisi will continue to be the national rugby team’s voorbok as long as he plays well, is in his best shape and is fit and healthy.
That’s the backing given to the 33-year-old flank by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus in his first press conference of the year on Wednesday.
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 & Irish Lions and winning two 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.
And now, Erasmus says: “The 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.
“But the icon and the person Siya has become to South Africans definitely shifted my mindset on that.”
With Kolisi turning 34 this year, Erasmus adds: “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.
“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.”