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The strange reason why Siya Kolisi was made Springboks captain

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and coach Rassie Erasmus (Photo by David Rogers / Getty Images)

Siya Kolisi’s appointment as captain of the Springboks has been widely considered one of the best decisions of coach Rassie Erasmus’ tenure.

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Kolisi, one of South Africa’s form player over the last few years, is an excellent leader, a fantastic player and has united the nation as the Springboks’ first black captain.

Kolisi’s elevation to captain was never a political statement, however, and there was never any wider meaning to the selection.

“To be honest with you, the initial appointment of Siya as captain, my plan never was this big thing to get the country behind us and have another plan with Siya,” said Erasmus.

The Stormers flanker is black, but that’s just a coincidence – he’s clearly now the best man for the job.

Continue reading below…

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To begin with, however, not a lot of thought actually went into instilling Kolisi as the Springboks’ leader.

“I’m quite honest with you now, and you’ll one day hear from the players how Siya was appointed captain,” Erasmus said.

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“Siya was actually the best Super Rugby-performing team captain, and that’s the reason why he became captain of the Springboks. It was very sudden on him – I didn’t have a lot of conversations with him before that first test match he became the captain.

“So, it wasn’t like four or five months where we sat down and worked out a strategy and a plan.”

Despite Kolisi’s somewhat arbitrary (but not irrational) election, there’s no question that he’s forged a reputation as one of South Africa’s modern greats.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4SkWpMgtxI/

The Port Elizabeth-born loose forward has the backing of not just his own team, but a whole nation.

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Erasmus has admitted that he was somewhat taken aback by the reaction to Kolisi’s appointment.

“I was a bit naive, because the whole emotional things that went around that in South Africa, about having the first black captain for the Springboks, certainly caught Siya off guard, it caught me off guard.”

It wasn’t the easiest of starts to Kolisi, with all the weight of expectations on his shoulders, but he’s grown into the role considerably.

“I thought his game suffered a little bit in the first few games,” said Erasmus. “Then he got better and better, and we always knew he was a great player.

“When that got better, he got an injury, and when he got back from the injury, then he had to be captain again, and we had to get him slowly back into the mix for the World Cup.

“But the timing is great now. The last two games, he had great games again, and we also managed his gametime really well. He is firing fit to have a good final.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4R9evPgKej/

Now, Kolisi is in line to make his 50th appearance for the Springboks on the biggest of stages, a World Cup final.

“It’s his 50th test match, and it is fitting and a wonderful occasion for a guy to be the captain, the first black captain – now it’s also sunk into me. I understand how big it is, and I am not so naive any more.

“It is a wonderful story, and for him to handle those emotional – not stress – but emotional extras, which come with something that I didn’t expect, is just wonderful, and really, well done by him.”

The 28-year-old could still very much be in the frame for the 2023 World Cup in France, but he will naturally be putting all his efforts into Saturday’s fixture with England.

Regardless of what happens, Kolisi has already cemented his place in South African rugby folklore.

Cheslin Kolbe is back for the Rugby World Cup final after sitting out South Africa’s semi-final win over Wales:

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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