The Springboks are set to have a new captain at the start of the season, though the permanence of this appointment remains to be seen.
The team will gather in Pretoria on Sunday, June 9, to begin their on-field preparations for an exciting 2024 season.
It has been confirmed that the Test squad for the season-opener against Wales on June 22 will be revealed after the conclusion of the United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-finals on Saturday, June 8.
This squad is expected to be quite interesting since most overseas-based players will be unavailable, as the first Test of the year falls outside the international window. If the Bulls and Stormers reach the URC final, their players could also be ruled out.
While there is some uncertainty for this one-off Test, it is known that the squad will be largely experimental, necessitating the naming of a new captain.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has expressed a preference for a locally-based captain who would be more regularly available for meetings and alignment camps.
This raises questions about whether World Cup captain Siya Kolisi can retain the leadership now that he is based in France.
Kolisi will not be available for the game against Wales, making it intriguing to see who the Springboks will turn to as captain and whether this could become a more permanent appointment.
If Kolisi’s game-time is carefully managed through to the 2027 World Cup, the 32-year-old will not be able to feature in every Test this year.
A shared leadership structure is likely to be implemented, and several frontrunners are being considered for the captain’s armband.
Eben Etzebeth
Kolisi’s close friend may be the man to take over the captaincy. Etzebeth is vastly experienced and has captained the Springboks in the past. The powerful lock commands full respect from teammates and opponents alike.
Bongi Mbonambi
The burly hooker is another strong contender, having effectively served as vice-captain during the World Cup and stepped in as skipper when Kolisi was unavailable. Mbonambi is highly respected within the team, and Erasmus has already acknowledged him as one of his ‘favorites’.
Lukhanyo Am
The center has captaincy experience with the Sharks and could be ready for additional responsibility at the Springbok level. Am prefers to let his actions speak louder than words, although his starting position in the team isn’t guaranteed after Jesse Kriel secured the No. 13 jersey last year.
Handre Pollard
The experienced flyhalf has been part of the Springboks’ wider leadership team for some time, though he has seldom served as the designated captain from the start of a Test. While Pollard is unlikely to be the leading candidate to replace Kolisi and won’t be available for the Wales Test, he remains a capable backup option.
Pieter-Steph du Toit
The flanker would be an unconventional choice, but there is a chance that some Japan-based players, such as Du Toit, could be available for the game against Wales. Du Toit captained the Springboks in a one-off Test against Wales in 2018 and has increasingly become a quiet leader within the team.
