Has age finally caught up with Siya Kolisi?

Double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi continues to showcase his exceptional rugby skills while playing for French club Racing 92.

Despite his outstanding form, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has hinted that Kolisi may not lead the national team this year as the focus shifts towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Erasmus, who recently transitioned from his role as director of rugby back to head coach, is contemplating phasing out some of the older players in the squad.

With 18 out of 33 players in the Springboks’ 2023 World Cup squad aged over 30, including Kolisi who will turn 33 in June, Erasmus emphasizes the importance of having a locally based captain for better interaction.

While Kolisi is expected to feature in upcoming Test matches, the decision regarding the team’s captaincy remains uncertain.

  “We know exactly which players can only last another year, and we have given them the task to help the youngsters before they leave.

  “But it is a challenge to tell a player, ‘OK, you must stop now’.

  “We have guys in their 30s who believe they can win another World Cup,” said Erasmus.

Erasmus reveals that a strategic timeline was established for each player back in 2018 to plan for their roles in the 2019, 2023, and 2027 World Cups.

Acknowledging the challenge of managing players nearing the end of their careers, Erasmus stresses the significance of experienced players mentoring younger talents before they depart from the team.

Despite criticisms of the Springboks’ win ratio between their World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, Erasmus defends the team’s approach of rotating players to enhance squad depth.

He believes that sacrificing a few Test matches in the process is a necessary step towards building a stronger side for future competitions.


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