Ahead of the July 4 Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park, Kolisi has opened up about the defining moment of his captaincy debut in 2018 — the same fixture, the same ground. His recollection cuts to the heart of what made that 42-39 comeback so significant: down 24-3 inside 20 minutes, a first-time Bok captain with no answers, turning to the players beside him and asking if they had something to say. Vermeulen and Le Roux stepped up, Nienaber was screaming instructions from the posts, and Erasmus had already built structures to cover what he knew Kolisi would need time to grow into. Eight years, two World Cups, and 72 Tests later, Kolisi returns to Ellis Park having internalised exactly that lesson — shared leadership, not individual heroics — and now passes it on to the next generation in the Bok leadership group. The piece is a useful reminder of just how deliberately the Erasmus era was constructed from day one.
Full circle at Ellis Park: Kolisi on the moment that started it all
Kolisi revisits the 2018 Ellis Park comeback — down 24-3, no answers under the posts, and a crash course in shared leadership — as the Boks prepare to return to the same ground against the same opposition for the Nations Championship opener.
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
Halftime flashbacks and World Cup depth: Rassie's takeaways from the England win
Erasmus drew a direct line between last year's Australia collapse and his halftime intervention against England, while framing the 45-21 win — achieved with an underdone, reshaped side — as evidence his depth-building plan is on track for 2027.
The Ruck: Springboks 'running the game on and off the pitch' as England obliterated at Ellis Park
The Ruck panel, reporting from Ellis Park, argued that England were overwhelmed in every department by a Springbok side missing six or seven key forwards — and that Rassie Erasmus's squad depth is now the most ominous thing in world rugby ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Rassie Erasmus to receive Order of Ikhamanga — South Africa's highest national honour
Rassie Erasmus will receive the Order of Ikhamanga — South Africa's highest national honour — from President Cyril Ramaphosa at an investiture ceremony on 19 May, recognising his role in the Springboks' back-to-back World Cup titles and his contribution to national unity.
Nations Championship Round 1: Boks set the benchmark, Japan turn heads
Louw's Nations Championship round-one review crowns the Boks as the weekend's benchmark-setters and flags Japan's Italy upset as the competition's first real surprise — while taking aim at the scheduling call that denies Japan a home fixture against Ireland.