The Springboks will have a new captain at the start of the season, and it remains to be seen how permanent this appointment might be.
On Sunday, June 9th, the Springboks will come together in Pretoria to start their on-field training in anticipation of an incredible 2024 campaign.
Additionally, it has been confirmed that the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals on Saturday, June 8, will choose the Test team for Wales’ opening match on June 22.
The fact that the first Test of the year falls outside of the international window means that most of the players who are stationed overseas will not be available, making this a very fascinating squad. These players may also be eliminated if the Bulls and Stormers advance to the URC championship.
Although there is a lot of unknown surrounding this one-time Test, we do know that the team will be primarily experimental and that a new captain will need to be chosen.
It has been publicly acknowledged by coach Rassie Erasmus that having a captain who lives nearby and can attend alignment camps and meetings more frequently is preferred.
It has raised concerns about whether the team’s charismatic captain, Siya Kolisi, will be able to continue leading them now that he is located in France.
Kolisi won’t be available for the Springboks’ match against Wales, so it will be intriguing to see who takes over as captain and whether this ends up becoming more of a permanent position.
Whatever the situation, Kolisi, 32, won’t be able to play in every Test match this year if his playing time is going to be strictly controlled until the 2027 World Cup.
Here, we examine the front-runners who are most likely to wear the captain’s armband under what will likely become a shared leadership structure.
THE SPRINGBOKS HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF CAPTAINCY OPTIONS
Eben Etzebeth
Kolisi’s best mate may well be the man to take over the captaincy armband. Etzebeth is vastly experienced and has captained the Springboks in the past.
The powerful lock has the full respect of teammates and opponents, and he certainly wouldn’t be out of place as captain.
Bongi Mbonambi
The burly hooker is another strong contender considering he effectively served as the vice-captain during the World Cup, and stepped in as the skipper when Kolisi wasn’t playing.
Mbonambi is massively respected within the Springbok team, and Erasmus has already admitted he is one of his ‘favourites’.
Lukhanyo Am
The centre has captaincy experience at the Sharks, and could be ready to take on this additional responsibility at Springbok level.
Am is very quietly spoken, rather letting actions speak louder than words, although a factor that can’t be overlooked is the fact that his starting position in the team isn’t guaranteed after Jesse Kriel took hold of the No 13 jersey last year.
Handre Pollard
The experienced flyhalf has been part of the Springboks’ wider leadership team for some time, but there haven’t been many occasions when he has served as the designated captain from the beginning of a Test.
It’s unlikely Pollard would be a leading candidate to take over from Kolisi, and he also won’t be available for the Wales Test, but he is a capable back-up option nonetheless.
Pieter-Steph du Toit
The flanker would be an unlikely choice, but especially for the game against Wales, there is a chance that some Japan-based players such as Du Toit could be available.
The 31-year-old actually captained the Springboks in another one-off Test against Wales in 2018, and he has increasingly become a quiet leader with the team over the last few years.
