Steven Kitshoff predicts next Springboks captain ahead of Siya Kolisi’s retirement but there is one problem
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and an inset of Steven Kitshoff.
Steven Kitshoff has made his prediction on who could replace Siya Kolisi as the Springboks captain after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Kolisi will be 36 when South Africa launches their three-peat bid Down Under in what is expected to be his final year as a Springbok. The inspirational figure previously suggested that he would hang up his Test boots after the 2023 World Cup, but he had a change of heart and has since become the first back-rower to play 100 times for the Boks.
Next Springboks captain?
Rassie Erasmus first made Kolisi the Springboks captain back in 2018, with the loose forward holding the official title since, and is now closing in on John Smit’s record of 83 Tests as Springbok captain as he enters the 2026 campaign with 71.
The likes of Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jesse Kriel, Salmaan Moerat, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Brits, Handre Pollard, and Bongi Mbonambi have all captained South Africa during this period. However, none jump out as long-term successors as they have either retired or will retire at the next World Cup – with the exception of Moerat, who has flattered to deceive for most.
So who could be the next Springboks captain for the 2031 Rugby World Cup? That was the question posed to former prop Kitshoff on the For the Love of Rugby South Africa podcast.
“Sometimes players get earmarked quite early in their careers, and I think we saw it with Siya when he started captaining the Stormers back in the day. People already knew he was going to be a great leader,” the double World Cup-winning replied.
“Currently, I’m not too sure who’s going to be the future captain. I think if Siya makes it to the 2027 World Cup, he’ll make it physically, but if he gets injured, I’m not sure who is going to be the guy who steps in. Jesse Kriel has done an exceptional job as a stand-in captain, but for me, there’s no standout guy who I think can take over next.”
Outgoing Bulls leader backed for the position
Forcing himself to make a decision, Kitshoff added: “If I had to put a name down, I’d say Ruan Nortje from the Bulls. I think he gets the job. He does it at the Bulls exceptionally well, and he’ll probably be my standout guy if someone needs to be selected.”
27-year-old Nortje made his Test debut back in 2022 for the Springboks but it was only in 2024 that he really made his mark felt in the squad during an injury crisis. He impressed during his five appearances for the side and was recalled last year, where he earned 12 further Test caps.
The second-rower has been a leader in the Bulls squad for several seasons now, sharing the captaincy role with the likes of Marcell Coetzee and Elrigh Louw but will be leaving Pretoria at the end of the season after signing a deal in Japan.
That move might hurt his chances of becoming the full-time Springboks captain. While there are no restrictions for the Bok coach on selecting overseas players, Erasmus has previously explained why they prefer to have a player locally-based leading the side, as it was problematic during Kolisi’s stint in France with Racing 92.
Rassie Erasmus reveals that ‘icon’ Siya Kolisi has ‘shifted’ his mind about Springboks captaincy
The face of the team
While Kitshoff made a prediction, fellow Springboks prop Trevor Nyakane said he wasn’t able to.
“It’s interesting. If you asked me in 2010 who I thought was going to be the captain in 2019, I wouldn’t have a clue,” he laughed.
“I wouldn’t know who to point out. There are so many great players who are coming through in South Africa. I think that’s a great question, but a hard one to answer.”
“It’s a very hard one to answer,” Kitshoff replied before diving into the complexities of the job.
“It’s also a lot more than just being a good leader in the team. It’s your presence when it comes to the media, how you portray yourself to the world. You’re becoming the face of the Springboks at the end of the day, and I think that’s a big task.
“Even in our era, we’ve had great leaders who could all become captains, but we needed one guy to carry the mantle and just to say, ‘This is the face of the Springboks, who is going to put in the media, who’s going to answer all the questions and stand for it.'”
