Double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi is showcasing exceptional rugby skills for French club Racing 92, putting him in contention for a spot in the South African team this year, according to coach Rassie Erasmus.

Erasmus, who has returned as head coach of the Springboks as they build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, hinted that while Kolisi may not continue as captain, his performance on the field is impressive.

With 18 of the Springboks’ 33-player squad at last year’s World Cup over the age of 30, including Kolisi who will turn 33 in June, Erasmus emphasized the need for a locally-based captain for better interaction.

“We have a roadmap for the players and we said, ‘Where will this guy be in 2019, 2023 and 2027?’ We know exactly which players can only last another year, and we have given them the task to help the youngsters before they leave,” Erasmus explained.

Despite the challenge of telling older players to step down, Erasmus stressed the importance of building squad depth and providing opportunities for younger players to develop, even if it means sacrificing a few test matches along the way.

“For us, building a squad means giving young guys an opportunity and making sure we always improve on depth,” he added. “By doing that you will lose a few test matches, but then we will have the answers when we get to the World Cup.”

Erasmus reiterated that their ultimate goal is winning the World Cup, even if it means accepting a lower win ratio in the interim to build a stronger team for the future.

Main image: The Guardian