Share

After 127 years, Kolisi to open new Springbok chapter

Johannesburg - After 127 years, 478 Tests and 60 white Test captains, Siya Kolisi will open a new chapter in South African rugby on Saturday when he leads the team against England. 

The 26-year-old captain and flank of the Stormers is set to be the first black Test skipper of a traditional world rugby powerhouse. 

Injuries to captain Warren Whiteley and stand-in Eben Etzebeth created a leadership void, and new coach Rassie Erasmus opted for soft-spoken, media-shy Kolisi in a three-player contest. 

"I like him," says the coach. "He is quiet, he is humble, he is nice and physical. I am really excited about what Siya can offer to us." 

There is a touch of irony, though, about his selection as captain for the three-Test series, starting at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and followed by matches in Bloemfontein and Cape Town. 

Kolisi, by his own admission, played better rugby last year than in recent months, yet was surprisingly overlooked for the captaincy by then coach Allister Coetzee, a coach of colour. 

Now, with his Super Rugby form patchy, the forward born in Port Elizabeth has got the nod from Erasmus, a white coach. 

Erasmus insists Kolisi was not chosen because of his colour amid constant government pressure to deliver a national rugby team that better reflects a population that is 92 percent black. 

"I have always known Siya as a great player and a great leader - the fact that he will become the first black captain of the Springboks is definitely just a bonus." 

An agreement has been struck between the national rugby body and the government that 50 percent of the team at the 2019 World Cup in Japan will be black. 

Seven of the 15 starters against England are going to be black, provided tighthead prop Trevor Nyakane passes a late fitness test on a rib injury. 

South Africans will cheer Kolisi on to Ellis Park and then pray that he and his green-and-gold warriors can triumph over a team ranked third in the world, four places higher than their hosts.

Since coming third behind New Zealand and Australia at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, South Africa have become a virtual laughing stock on the international stage. 

Arch rivals New Zealand twice scored 57 points against the Springboks, who also suffered a first home loss to Ireland and first away defeats by Italy and Argentina. 

"We all know things have been a little disappointing for our rugby lately, but the will to improve is there and that excites me," was the upbeat message from Erasmus. 

"England will provide a stern test for us, but we are playing at home and this is where the foundations for a revival have to be laid." 

A major problem for the Springboks has been defending lofted kicks and Erasmus hopes new wingers, Sibusiso Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyantyi, can do better than their predecessors. 

The third new cap is lock RG Snyman, a product of the same Bulls factory that produced legendary second-row pair Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. 

South Africa selected a completely different team from that which lost 22-20 to Wales in Washington last Saturday, and England coach Eddie Jones also rang the changes as he seeks to stop the rot. 

Only seven of the starting 15 who fell 24-15 to Ireland at Twickenham last March will begin in Johannesburg, including new captain Owen Farrell, then the flyhalf and now at inside centre. 

Injuries and a need for rest forced wholesale changes as Australian Jones seeks to snap a three-match losing streak having won 24 of his first 25 Tests in charge. 

He appreciates the magnitude of the task as England chase a first series victory in South Africa after five failed attempts. 

"We want to do something special on this tour and the players are all incredibly excited about the challenge and the opportunity we have,"Jones said.

"Ellis Park is the spiritual homeland of South African rugby and the Springboks play to another level on that ground." 

Few non-South African coaches know more about the Springboks than Jones, an assistant to head coach Jake White when the country won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Paris.

Teams:

South Africa 

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Trevor Nyakane/Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw/Thomas du Toit, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Warrick Gelant

England

15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Mike Brown, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola

Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Denny Solomona

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE