Kolisi to lead Springboks against England

Siya Kolisi will lead the Springboks against England in the forthcoming Castle Lager Incoming Series while Pieter-Steph du Toit has been entrusted with the captaincy for Saturday’s historic Test in Washington against Wales.

The SA Rugby director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, has included 17 uncapped players in his first Springbok squad of 43 for the four tests next month against Wales in the USA and Castle Lager Incoming Series at home against England.

The Emirates Lions have five players to their credit in the squad of which Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith and Aphiwe Dyantyi are uncapped Springbok players. Elton Jantjies and captain Franco Mostert are the other two players and the local franchise that have already made their appearance in the national side.

Erasmus confirmed the two appointments on May 28.

Erasmus, who took over the coaching reins of the Springboks after his appointment in April, also confirmed the Springboks’ 26-man travelling squad for the Welsh encounter in Washington.

The squad members not involved in the Welsh match will stay behind in Johannesburg to continue with their preparations for the coming international season.

Erasmus congratulated Kolisi and du Toit on their respective appointments. Both men will captain the Springboks for the first time.

“It’s a huge honour to captain the Springboks and Siya and Pieter-Steph are two honest, hardworking men who enjoy the respect of their fellow players,” said Erasmus.

“I believe both of them will do a good job as captains. My philosophy is that each player must take responsibility for his position and must, therefore, work extremely hard with one goal in mind – to make the Springboks successful again,” added Erasmus.

Born in Zwide township near Port Elizabeth, loose forward Kolisi is also the DHL Stormers captain and has played in 28 tests since making his debut at age 22 against Scotland in Nelspruit on June 15, 2013. He has four test tries to his name.

Du Toit made his debut as a 21-year-old on November 9, 2013, against Wales in Cardiff. He is equally at home as lock and as loose forward and has played in 32 tests for the Springboks, 21 times as lock, 10 as flank and once as number eight.

All except two of the 43 players reported for Springbok duty on Sunday in Johannesburg, where the squad immediately got their preparations underway for this weekend’s test against Wales. The experienced duo of Frans Steyn (centre) and Bismarck du Plessis (hooker) will join the Springbok squad next Monday following the completion of their French club rugby commitments.

The Springboks begin their international season on June 2 against Wales in Washington DC.

Following the match in Washington, the Boks then return to South Africa to face a powerful England side in three much-anticipated tests in the Castle Lager Incoming Series. Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg hosts the series opener on June 9, the second test is scheduled for June 16 at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein and the final encounter will be played on June 23 at DHL Newlands in Cape Town.

The Springbok squad to face Wales in Washington (in order of name, position, franchise, test caps, points):

Forwards (16):

Nizaam Carr (loose forward, DHL Stormers, 5, 0)

Dan du Preez (loose forward, Cell C Sharks, 3, 0)

Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock, DHL Stormers, 32, 20 – 4t)

Thomas du Toit (prop, Cell C Sharks, uncapped)

Jason Jenkins (lock, Vodacom Bulls, uncapped)

Steven Kitshoff (prop, DHL Stormers, 23, 5 – 1t)

Wilco Louw (prop, DHL Stormers, 5, 0)

Frans Malherbe (prop, DHL Stormers, 17, 0)

Bongi Mbonambi (hooker, DHL Stormers, 14, 5 – 1t)

Oupa Mohojé (loose forward, Toyota Cheetahs 18, 0)

Ox Nche (prop, Toyota Cheetahs, uncapped)

Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose forward, DHL Stormers, uncapped)

Marvin Orie (lock, Emirates Lions, uncapped)

Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker, Cell C Sharks 23, 5 – 1t)

Kwagga Smith (loose forward, Emirates Lions, uncapped)

Akker van der Merwe (hooker, Cell C Sharks, uncapped)

Backs (10):

Curwin Bosch (utility back, Cell C Sharks, 1, 0)

André Esterhuizen (centre, Cell C Sharks, uncapped)

Warrick Gelant (fullback, Vodacom Bulls, 2, 5 – 1t)

Travis Ismaiel (wing, Vodacom Bulls, uncapped)

Elton Jantjies (flyhalf, Emirates Lions, 23, 203 – 2t, 38c, 39p)

Jesse Kriel (centre, Vodacom Bulls, 29, 40 – 8t)

Makazole Mapimpi (wing, Cell C Sharks, uncapped)

Embrose Papier (scrumhalf, Vodacom Bulls, uncapped)

Ivan van Zyl (scrumhalf, Vodacom Bulls, uncapped)

Cameron Wright (scrumhalf, Cell C Sharks, uncapped)

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