Springbok rugby has been blessed with iconic captains at critical times in South Africa’s history, from Francois Pienaar at the dawn of the country’s new democracy to Siya Kolisi and the hope generated by back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs.
But ever since Rassie Erasmus revealed that he prefers his captain to be playing in South Africa, and with Kolisi currently playing his rugby in France, the obvious question has been who the country’s next Springbok captain could be?
Former Springbok captain Victor Matfield believes any search for a new captain will require some big shoes to be filled after Kolisi.
“It won’t be easy because Siya has been outstanding. He’s someone who everybody in South Africa looks up to. He inspires people,” says Matfield of the man who was recently voted amongst Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 and has played a talismanic role for a team that has made it their mission to play for all South Africans and represent the hope the country so desperately needs.
“When it comes to the power of sport to unite a nation, we’ve probably seen it the most in this country with rugby. It started in 1995 and what it meant to this country and bringing people together – seeing Mr Mandela with his Springbok jersey, and now what we’ve seen with this team Siya has been leading. It’s incredible how everyone gets behind them and feels better about any situation we’re facing in South Africa. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your background is, it’s about getting behind the Springboks and getting behind our nation.
“So it’s difficult to follow that, especially when you come into a team where there’s been a lot of success and they’re used to a certain style. But on the other side, there is always a group of players supporting a captain like Siya. It’s about maintaining the team culture and make it even better if you can. So it won’t be easy to replace him, but if you’ve got the right players around you and the right players to support you, I think the next captain can do a very good job.”
However Matfield says he is confident Kolisi is going nowhere in the immediate future.
“I believe he’ll still captain against Ireland. I really do believe that.”
Former Bok captain Corné Krige recently threw DHL Stormers loose forward Evan Roos into the hat as a potential choice for him as a Springbok captain.
“If I was Rassie we’re still four years out from the next Rugby World Cup and my suspicion is he wouldn’t want to lose many Test matches, but he will have to bleed some young talent. Evan Roos is one of the young leaders coming through the system, so possibly looking at him. From schoolboy days he’s been a leader, and loose forwards are usually captains in South African rugby. But there are lots of other leaders around as well.
“There is a lot of young talent coming through the system and it’s about bleeding them at the right time and getting them into Test match rugby. That’s the nice thing about the Vodacom United Rugby Championship – it’s very close to Test match rugby. If these players get used to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, it sets us up for good international performances.”
