Siya Kolisi Named Captain for Springboks Against England

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Siya Kolisi has been named as captain of South Africa for the three-test home series against England next month, but the flanker will not lead the side against Wales on Saturday.

The Stormers back-rower will captain the Springboks for the first time in the absence of previous skippers, loose-forward Warren Whiteley and lock Eben Etzebeth, who have both been ruled out through injury.

The 26-year-old Kolisi will not be considered for Saturday’s international against Wales in Washington, however, with Stormers team mate Pieter-Steph du Toit wearing the armband for that fixture.

Coach Rassie Erasmus announced an extended squad of 43 players for the June tests on Saturday and suggested he would take a number of fringe players to face Wales in the United States.

“It’s a huge honour to captain the Springboks and Siya and Pieter-Steph are two honest, hardworking men who enjoy the respect of their fellow players,” Erasmus said in a media release from South African Rugby on Monday.

“I believe both of them will do a good job as captains. My philosophy is that each player must take responsibility for his position and must therefore work extremely hard with that one goal in mind — to make the Springboks successful again.”

The Springboks host England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on June 9, before matches in Bloemfontein and Cape Town on the following Saturdays.

(Reporting By Nick Said; Editing by John O’Brien)