Steven Kitshoff has nominated Ruan Nortje as his candidate to eventually succeed Kolisi as Springbok captain, pointing to his leadership at the Bulls as the clearest evidence of readiness. The problem: Nortje is heading to Japan at the end of the season, and Erasmus has previously flagged why an overseas-based captain creates practical headaches — Kolisi's time at Racing 92 being the reference point. Kitshoff is candid that there's no obvious heir apparent right now, noting that even a reliable stand-in like Jesse Kriel doesn't quite fit the long-term mould. He also frames the captaincy as something bigger than on-field leadership — the next captain needs to be the public face of the Springboks, carrying the media weight that comes with the role. With Kolisi potentially taking the team through 2027, the succession question may only become urgent if injury forces the issue sooner.
Kitshoff names his pick for next Bok captain — but there's a catch
Kitshoff backs Ruan Nortje as the next Bok captain but acknowledges the looming Japan move complicates the case — and admits there's no clear successor if Kolisi goes down before 2027.
- Siya Kolisi
- Rassie Erasmus
- Jesse Kriel
- Springboks
Springboks Through Irish Eyes: Gráinne Seoige on Loftus, Rassie, and Why SA Rugby Is Unlike Anything Else
Irish TV personality Gráinne Seoige tells the Lekker Rugby Pod that walking into Loftus for the 2024 Ireland test was the most intimidating rugby atmosphere she has ever experienced, and argues that Rassie Erasmus's cultural transformation of Springbok rugby is a bigger achievement than the World Cup wins.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.
Hansen: Stop Trying to Be Rassie
Steve Hansen warns that the rugby world's obsession with copying Rassie Erasmus' Springbok blueprint is stifling tactical innovation across the game.
Mulder's '95 Warning: Don't Sleep on the All Blacks
1995 World Cup winner Japie Mulder warns against writing off the All Blacks ahead of the four-Test series, drawing on South Africa's own underdog story to argue the gap in rankings doesn't guarantee a comfortable series win.