Siya Kolisi to captain South Africa’s rugby side ‘Springboks’ in Test match

Siya Kolisi is set to become the first black player to captain South Africa’s rugby side in a Test match.

He will lead the Springboks in the three-Test series against England.

Pieter-Steph du Toit will lead the side against Wales.

Bok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed the two appointments on Monday morning at a media conference at the team hotel in Johannesburg.

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 that one goal in mind – to make the Springboks successful again.’

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