Springboks in 2024: Who will captain and coach?
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has answered the question on everybody’s lips and clarified his availability for selection in 2024.
The Springboks begin a new era in 2024 but it seems like they will have old heads in charge.
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that he will resume control of the team as head coach for the time being.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has also laid out his intent to lead the team to a third Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.
The Springboks are only set to return to action in the July Test window in 2024 when they are pencilled in to host Ireland.
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SPRINGBOKS SKIPPER SIYA KOLISI WON’T RETIRE
The 32-year-old said that retirement is the furtherest thing from his mind at the moment on his return to South Africa.
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“Personally, nothing will change. I will still be available for selection. I really want to play,” Kolisi said when asked if he intended to retire.
Kolisi is hopeful of retaining the captaincy but ever the team man said that he would defer to the coaches on that matter.
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“About being captain … I don’t know. I’m not the coach. What matters to me the most is putting on the Springbok jersey. Being captain is not the most important thing.
“If I said to you I dreamt of being the Springbok captain I would be lying to you.”
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Kolisi has identified that this World Cup campaign changes the game for everyone involved, however he is looking forward to fresh challenges.
“I am looking forward to the new journey, but for now we’re going to enjoy being home and being double world champions, back-to-back,” he said.
TIME TO INSPIRE
Kolisi said that he and the team have always been motivated to deliver for the fans and for the next generation of Springbok heroes.
“We made a decision that we had already one the World Cup in 2019 – it’s not about us as players anymore.
“We wanted to make sure that this one is for the people of South Africa. This one is for every single person in South Africa. Rich, poor… it doesn’t matter where you come from.
“This trophy is also for people who come from tough circumstances in disadvantaged areas – areas that are not well resourced.
“For the kid who sits in Zwide, who sits in Goodwood, who sits in Malmesbury… this is for you because we come from those environments, we come from those backgrounds.”