Siya Kolisi, the stalwart Springbok captain, has worn the leadership armband for 61 of his 92 international caps.
Hailing from Gqeberha, the 33-year-old, once regarded as irreplaceable in the No. 6 jersey, has led South Africa to back-to-back World Cup victories, alongside key players like Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph Du Toit. This trio has been dominant over the last decade, and with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, all three players will be approaching the twilight of their careers.
As Kolisi enters his thirties, his starting position may soon face competition, particularly from emerging talents like Elrigh Louw. The newly converted Sharks No. 8, despite suffering a severe leg injury recently, is one to watch. With time not on Kolisi’s side, the pressure to maintain his place in the team is building.
Kolisi has acknowledged the fierce competition for his position, noting that, while the captaincy is not his main focus, his desire is to continue representing South Africa. “I’m not thinking about the captaincy. I just want to make the team,” Kolisi said. “The most important thing for me is to play well enough to be part of the team, and hopefully make it to the 2027 World Cup.”
However, Springbok legend Corne Krige remains firmly in Kolisi’s corner. Krige believes Kolisi’s leadership and influence are invaluable to the team. “His presence on the team and the support he enjoys across the country make an incredible difference,” Krige remarked. “As long as he stays fit and continues playing at the high level we’ve seen, I think he can even remain captain until the next World Cup. In my opinion, Siya is the man for at least the next two years.”
