Springboks: Three potential captains to replace injured Kolisi

Should Siya Kolisi miss the Rugby World Cup, we take a look at three potential captains for the Springboks in 2023.

A South African Rugby Union insider told AFP on Monday that the 31-year-old World Cup-winning skipper had seen specialists and is set to meet another on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Siya Kolisi farewell ends in bad injury

“Should surgery be recommended and Siya agrees, he will almost certainly not be able to play again this year,” the source said.

“The alternate is to let the injury heal and that could take about four months — meaning he would be out of action until September.”

While Kolisi waits on a third opinion, it seems clear that he will spend at least four months on the sidelines following the ACL injury he picked up against Munster.

ALSO READ: Matfield would snub Stick, Dobson for surprise trio

Three potential captains for the Springboks?

Handre Pollard – The current vice-captain is the most logical choice. It would also dictate the style of play given that Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok are next in line but play a more expansive game than the incumbent.

ALSO READ: Jake White back to Boks? Only on his terms …

Lukhanyo Am – Touted as a long-term replacement, the Sharks centre is a first-choice player and shown his leadership skills over the past few seasons.

Eben Etzebeth – A close friend and ally of Siya Kolisi, it remains to be seen if the captain’s armband would restrict the physical approach he leads with.

THE BOKS WILL SOON RETURN TO ACTION

The Springboks kick off the international season against Australia in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 July, in the opening round of the shortened Castle Lager Rugby Championship, which will be followed by clashes against New Zealand at the Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland a week later, and Argentina in Johannesburg on Saturday, 29 July – their final match on home soil for the year.

The Boks will then make the journey to Buenos Aires in August to take on the Pumas before facing Wales and the All Blacks in Rugby World Cup warm-up matches in Cardiff and London in the final build-up to the international showpiece in France.

South Africa will launch their Rugby World Cup title defence on Sunday, 10 September, against Scotland in Marseille, which will be followed by pool matches against Romania in Bordeaux (17 September), Ireland in Paris (23 September) and Tonga in Marseille (1 October).

The Rugby World Cup quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of 14/15 October, with the semi-finals on 20/21 October and the final on Saturday, 28 October.

ALSO READ: Jake White suggests Sbu Nkosi plays abroad

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY WADE PRETORIUS