Rassie Erasmus talking about Springboks coaches.

Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus. Photo: SA Rugby website.

Springboks: Rassie names SIX candidates in line for stand-in captaincy role

REVEALED: The players the Springboks are considering to take over the captaincy from Siya Kolisi.

by Mariette Adams

15-06-2023 10:41

in Springboks

Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus. Photo: SA Rugby website.

Rassie Erasmus has revealed the six candidates who have been shortlisted to fill in for Siya Kolisi as Springboks skipper for the duration of the Rugby Championship.

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Kolisi, who went under the knife last month after suffering a knee ligament injury, will miss the Rugby Championship, but the Springbok management team has confirmed he is likely to return to action in one of the team’s three World Cup warm-up matches and is set to get off with the squad to the RWC in France.

However, with Kolisi sidelined, South Africa need a captain to lead the team during the Rugby Championship. There’s been a lot of speculation as to who it might be, but on Wednesday Erasmus narrowed the list of potential captains down to six when he singled out Steven Kitshoff, Eben Etzebeth, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am.

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Captaincy candidates’ infographic

Name	Position	Test caps	Test debut
Steven Kitshoff	Prop	71	June 2016
Eben Etzebeth	Lock	110	June 2012
Duane Vermeulen	No 8	65	September 2012
Pieter-Steph du Toit	Flank	66	November 2013
Lukhanyo Am	Centre	31	December 2017
Damian de Allende	Centre	70	August 2014

Commenting on the way forward with the stand-in captains situation as well as the management of the injured players in the squad, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said:

“The World Cup is obviously the big one for us this year, but our focus is on our first Test against Australia.” said Nienaber.

“We have a plan for the Rugby Championship and then we have World Cup warm-up matches against Argentina, Wales and New Zealand before we move into the World Cup.”

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