As Rassie Erasmus returns for his second stint as head coach of the Springboks, he has seemingly hinted that there is room for a new captain with Siya Kolisi having joined Racing 92 in Paris following the the World Cup in France, Planet Rugby reported.
WILL SIYA KOLISI CONTINUE AS THE SPRINGBOK CAPTAIN?
According to the publication, Rassie Erasmus admitted that he would prefer the team’s captain to be based in the country. He further reportedly hinted that there could be room for change with the captaincy of the Boks.
“Siya is playing some of his best rugby, but I prefer to have my captain locally based as that allows for more interaction,” Erasmus was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
siya kolisi racing springboks
Siya Kolisi wearing Racing 92 gear. Image via X @SpheDludla
HOW LONG HAS SIYA KOLISI BEEN THE CAPTIAN OF THE SPRINGBOKS?
Born in 1991 and raised in the poor township of Zwide (previously known as Port Elizabeth), in 2018, Siya Kolisi became the first black man to lead the Springboks and also the first to lead them to Rugby World Cup glory, Sky News reported.
“When I was a kid, there’s no way I would’ve dreamed of being Springbok captain,” CNN previously quoted Kolisi as saying.
SPRINGBOK CAPTAIN VENTURES OFF TO RACING 92
In a statement shared on his social media, Siya Kolisi opened up about some of the pros he considered before joining the French rugby cub.
“The move to Racing 92 will enable me to spend more time with my family, which is something that I have longed for, and this prospect certainly played a significant part in my decision-making,” he said.
“Not many athletes get the chance to write the chapters of their respective story, and I view this new challenge in France as an opportunity to do this,” Kolisi added.