Is Siya Kolisi’s captaincy suddenly in jeopardy?

Rassie Erasmus has made a big revelation regarding Siya Kolisi and the Springboks’ captaincy for the upcoming Test season.

Siya Kolisi etched his name into the history and rugby folklore when he led the Springboks to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023 under the tutelage of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber.

And with Kolisi still very much an active and influential Test match player, you might wonder why his reign as captain is even up for discussion.

Well, Kolisi moved to Paris to join French giants Racing 92 after the World Cup on a lucrative contract. And while he is still available for selection, Springbok rugby in general and Rassie Erasmus in particular, have always favoured a locally based player to lead the Test team.

RASSIE ERASMUS ON SIYA KOLISI AND BOK CAPTAINCY

This led the Springbok coach to admit that he is weighing up his captaincy options ahead of the 2024 Test campaign.

“There’s a lot of players who have signed with overseas clubs with clauses in their contracts that say they will stop playing international rugby. Siya has not signed with a clause like that,” Erasmus said.

“That’s the first thing that tells you he wants to play for South Africa. I think Kolisi is playing some of his best rugby. He looks relaxed.

“I would always like to have our captain locally based,” Erasmus explained. “Just because it’s a call and a flight and we can have a weekend together where we can plan.

“This is a unique situation. Kolisi will be considered. He wants to and is playing well enough. If we get the feeling that it’s doable, maybe there’s place for that. But I still have to suss it out.”