Corne Krige has named a surprising candidate to take over from Siya Kolisi as the next Springbok captain. DYLAN JACK reports.
Kolisi has held the Bok captaincy throughout the Rassie Erasmus-era, leading the country to historic back-to-back World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023 after being appointed in 2018.
However, the talismanic flanker’s move to France after the 2023 World Cup has made it difficult – but not impossible – for him to continue in his role as Bok captain.
Erasmus revealed in March that, while Kolisi does not have a clause in his club contract that prevents him from playing for South Africa, SA Rugby prefers to have the Bok captain based in the country.
During a Vodacom URC online round table discussion with the media, Krige, who captained the Springboks and DHL Stormers, was asked whether any local candidates to replace Kolisi stood out to him.
“If I was Rassie – we are still four years out from the next World Cup and I suspect that he won’t want to lose many Test matches – but he will have to blood some young talent,” Krige said.
“A guy like Evan Roos was a standout player in a dismal performance [against the Ospreys]. He had an incredible game. He is one of the young leaders coming through the system, so possibly looking at him.
“From his schoolboy days, he has been a leader. In his position, loose forwards are usually captains, especially in South Africa. He had an incredible game against Ospreys, which is hard when everyone else around you isn’t playing that well. I was impressed with him.
“There are lots of other leaders around, but for me, Evan stood out.”
Roos has just five Test caps to his name and his most recent start came against England at Twickenham in 2022.
Still just 24 years old, Roos would be a similar age to Krige when he first captained the Springboks against Italy in 1999.
“I captained the Springboks in my debut match. At some point you have to give somebody that experience,” Krige said.
“The only way you give them that experience is to actually let them play and be the captain in a very important Test match, as all Tests are. Fortunately for me, my first Test was against Italy, so it wasn’t that bad.
“I really don’t think Rassie will risk picking a young captain against Ireland or New Zealand. He will go with the tried and tested, but mix a bit of youth inside.
“At some point in the year, when there is a slightly easier Test match, which you don’t really get anymore, I think he should try and bleed a young captain. Siya is unbelievable and I hope he makes it to the next World Cup, but chances are, if he has one more big injury, he probably won’t make it.
“We have to start looking at a new leader and I’m sure there are lots of them in the system.”
Photo: Twitter: @evanroos4
