Siya Kolisi transformation

Gavin Barker / BackpagePix

The historic moment Siya Kolisi lead the Boks out for the first time [video]

Iconic.

Siya Kolisi transformation

Gavin Barker / BackpagePix

It’s a moment we have all been waiting for. Siya Kolisi made his way onto the pitch as Springboks captain for the first time on Saturday and filled our hearts with pride.

He’s been appointed as the 61st captain of the South African rugby team. However, he is the first black player to wear the armband for his country.

Kolisi lead his team out at Ellis Park, Johannesburg as the Boks entertain England in the first Test. Three debutants were also in the side as SA enters the Rassie Erasmus era. Last week was what we’re going to call “a false start”.

The fans gave Kolisi an amazing reaction and showed him a lot of love. Wearing the iconic “6”, you could tell how much it meant to the skipper.

You can catch the game live on our dedicated live blog. Every try, conversion, incident and heart-pounding moment of the first winter Test will be covered through our text commentary.

Watch Siya Kolisi take to the field for the first time as captain here:

South Africa vs England lineups

South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Trevor Nyakane/Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw/Thomas du Toit, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Warrick Gelant.

England
15 Elliot Daly 14 Jonny May 13 Henry Slade 12 Owen Farrell 11 Mike Brown 10 George Ford 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Nick Isiekwe, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Denny Solomona.

Also read: Who is Rachel Kolisi? Six facts about the love of Siya’s life