Siya Kolisi responds to possibly losing Springboks captaincy after Rassie Erasmus’ comments

Double Rugby World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi accepts that he may lose the Springboks captaincy in 2024.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus recently said that he believed that Kolisi was playing “some of his best rugby” but admitted that there could be a change of captaincy this year.

In 2018, it was Erasmus who handed the captaincy to Kolisi as he became the first black player to skipper the Springboks, and when fit, he has retained the armband, leading the side to two World Cup titles.

Siya Kolisi accepts that he may lose Springboks captaincy

However, after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Kolisi joined French Top 14 club Racing 92, which automatically put his future as captain of the side in doubt.

While the 32-year-old will still be eligible for selection for the Springboks, Erasmus recently said that he prefers to have his captain based locally.

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.

“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.”

Kolisi has since responded to Erasmus’ comments and said that he knew his leadership role would be in doubt when he signed for Racing 92.

“That’s normal. I knew that before making the decision to come here,” Kolisi told reporters ahead of Racing 92’s Investec Champions Cup knockout match against Toulouse.

“He (Erasmus) speaks and he says this is the situation, it is what it is, there’s nothing I can do about that.”

If not Siya Kolisi, who will captain the Springboks under Rassie Erasmus?

Returning from injury

Kolisi has missed Racing’s last three Top 14 fixtures due to a thumb injury but is set to mark his return to action against Toulouse.

“I feel good; my hand is good,” the flanker said.

“I went to see the doctor to see the specialist, and he was happy with the healing of my hand.

“I just want to be on the field. I tried to play last week but the coaches, management and doctors said I must wait for this week.”

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final victory over New Zealand last year was the 53rd time that Kolisi had captained the Springboks; only John Smit (83) has skippered South Africa on more occasions.

Lukhanyo Am, Bongi Mbonambi, and Eben Etzebeth are viewed as potential successors to Kolisi in 2024, while Steven Kitshoff, who has been linked to a return to South Africa, could also be considered.