Siya Kolisi to replace Lukhanyo Am as Sharks captain? CEO responds

Will Siya Kolisi be made captain at the Sharks now that he has officially joined from WP and Stormers?

That was the question on almost everyone’s lips when Kolisi finally completed his move to the Sharks.

Now, Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee has responded, easing fears that current skipper Lukhanyo Am’s position is at risk.

According to Coetzee, the reason Kolisi won’t be made captain at the moment is because Sharks want to create an environment that would allow the former Western Province and Stormers man to thrive without any pressure.

“Siya led the country to World Cup victory. So, yes, we see him as a leader but are we going to make him Sharks captain? Not at the moment. Lukhanyo Am will still be Sharks captain,” Coetzee told the media.

READ | SIYA KOLISI SIGNS MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE SHARKS

“The reason for that is, we want to create an environment for Siya to thrive and we want that with the least amount of pressure possible,” he said.

“The fact that Lukhanyo has done unbelievably well makes that argument a lot stronger.

“My discussion with Siya was that he must come here and we will treat him unbelievably well, like with all our players,” continued Coetzee.

“For Siya to have added pressure, it’s not going to help him.”

“Selfishly, it would have been a great thing for the Sharks to make him captain, but it’s in his best interest and Lukhanyo’s who is a great captain to keep Lukhanyo as captain,” added Coetzee.