Siya Kolisi becomes the Springboks’ first black Test captain

Siya Kolisi will have the honour of becoming the first black Springbok Test captain in the series against England starting next week.

National coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed the 26-year-old Stormers skipper’s appointment on Monday morning, stating it was an “obvious decision”.

Rassie Erasmus on picking Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit as @Springboks captains. pic.twitter.com/hYT7QTU53t

— Heinz Schenk (@sportmal) May 28, 2018

The two men know each other well as Kolisi was already mentored by Erasmus at the Western Province academy as an 18-year-old.

“I got Siya from the Eastern Cape to come play in the Western Cape. I’ve known him for a long time,” said the Bok coach.

“I know him as a player and I know him as a man. He’s grown a lot over the last few years. It’s only for the June Tests for now as guys like Warren Whiteley and Eben Etzebeth still have to return. It was just common sense that he’d make a good option.”

The symbolic value of Kolisi being promoted to such an important position is undoubtedly massive, especially given South African rugby’s fractured past but Erasmus doesn’t want to make too big of a deal of it.

“I don’t want to look at this from a political or historical perspective,” he said.

“I coached Siya in his first training session at Province. I know him as a great rugby player. I’ve seen him go through good times and tough times as captain and a player. He’s a reliable player that always gives his best.

“In terms of what he does for our country is really just a bonus. I like him. He’s humble, quiet and gets the job done.”

Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the Boks in Saturday’s one-off Test against Wales in Washington, where Erasmus is looking to examine the depth available to him.