Former Springboks captain Corne Krige has named a surprise successor for Siya Kolisi, with the veteran’s future as the leader of the side in doubt.
Having won back-to-back titles, Kolisi is the most successful Springboks captain in Rugby World Cup history. He is only the second player in the history of the competition, behind All Black Richie McCaw.
Although the flank is a highly regarded leader who was recently listed among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential individuals, head coach Rassie Erasmus would rather have a captain who is stationed locally, which puts Kolisi’s position in jeopardy because he is now playing for Racing 92 in France.
Who is next?
While there is the chance Kolisi could continue as skipper if Racing 92 plays ball, it has opened the door to speculation over who is next in line to lead the Springboks at the 2027 World Cup, with much of the ageing squad needing an overhaul by that point.
Krige, who once donned the jersey of the Stormers, revealed his preferred candidate in Evan Roos, despite the Cape Town man only having a handful of caps to his name at this point and is not the country’s first choice number eight.
“If I was Rassie – we are still four years out from the next World Cup and I suspect that he won’t want to lose On an online round table for the United Rugby Championship, Krige stated, “Many Test matches – but he will have to blood some young talent.”
“A standout player in a disappointing performance [against the Ospreys] was a guy named Evan Roos.” He played a fantastic game. Possibly taking a look at him, as he is one of the young leaders going through the system.
He has been a leader since he was a young student. Especially in South Africa, loose forwards in his position are typically captains. It’s tough when everyone around you isn’t playing well when you had a terrific game against the Ospreys. He impressed me, I must say.
“There are many other leaders around, but Evan really jumped out to me.”
Time for a young leader
For Krige the inexperience of Roos is not a concern as the former ran out as captain on his Test debut against Italy. The ex-flank acknowledges the game has changed but underlined the need to trial a new leader.
“I captained the Springboks in my debut match. At some point you have to give somebody that experience,” Krige said.
“The only way you give them that experience is to actually let them play and be the captain in a very important Test match, as all Tests are. Fortunately for me, my first Test was against Italy, so it wasn’t that bad.
“I’m not sure Rassie will take a chance by selecting a young captain to play against Ireland or New Zealand.” He will stick with the tried and true while adding a dash of modernity.
“I think he should try and bleed a young captain at some point in the year, when there’s a slightly easier Test match, which you don’t really get anymore.” Siya is amazing, and I really hope he makes it to the next World Cup, but the likelihood is that if he sustains one more serious injury, he won’t.
“We need to look for a new leader, and the system definitely has a lot of them,”
