Expect the Springboks to employ more shared leadership in 2024

Last week it was confirmed that the Springboks will start their Test season with a clash against Wales at the iconic Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 22 June. It adds to a blockbuster Test schedule, with 11 fixtures already confirmed for the Springboks in 2024.

In mid-November, a clash against England for the end-of-year tour has also been confirmed, which will take place on either 16 or 17 November.

In all likelihood, there are still set to be two more Tests added to the end of year tour schedule, but it’s clear that this year is already shaping up to be an extremely busy one for the Springboks.

It’s with this in mind that Rassie Erasmus and the national management team will need to think very carefully about their captaincy structures and back-up leadership options.

The Springboks have no shortage of leadership options

Siya Kolisi – who is now 32 years old – will likely need to have his game time very carefully managed over the next four-year cycle if he hopes to make it to the next World Cup.

With this in mind, it will be interesting to see who the backup captaincy responsibilities will fall to, with Bongi Mbonambi viewed as the ‘unofficial’ vice-captain, especially considering that Duane Vermeulen has retired.

Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard and even someone like Deon Fourie have captained the Springboks, but there could be others – such as Lukhanyo Am – introduced to a leadership role as the coaches look to the future.

Of course, there is even a chance that Erasmus may want to permanently appoint a locally based captain, considering that Kolisi is now playing his rugby in France, but it’s unlikely Rassie would want to go this route, considering the road the two have walked together.

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CONFIRMED BOK FIXTURES FOR 2024:

Saturday, 22 June: SA vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: SA vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v SA (venue TBC)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
16/17 November: England v SA (Twickenham, London – date TBC)

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