The Springboks, a prestigious rugby team, are in search of a new captain, with Siya Kolisi’s position under evaluation. Eben Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am, and Bongi Mbonambi are the potential candidates, with Etzebeth leading the pack due to his impressive accolades and experience. The upcoming Test season will bring clarity to the new captaincy, as the Springboks confront various formidable adversaries across multiple venues.
Who could be the next captain of Springboks?
Eben Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am, and Bongi Mbonambi are the potential successors to Siya Kolisi as the captain of Springboks. Etzebeth, with 119* Test appearances and impressive accolades, is a front runner for the captaincy. Am, a star in the centre-field, and Mbonambi, a hooker for the Sharks, are also compelling candidates. The Springboks’ upcoming Test season will bring clarity to the new captaincy.
In the dramatic world of international rugby, the prestige and pressures associated with the captaincy of the Springboks are unmatched. The impending shift in the team’s leadership has incited rampant conjecture, triggered by Rassie Erasmus’ recent disclosure that he is reevaluating Siya Kolisi’s continuation as the team’s captain.
Kolisi’s potential displacement has aroused fascination due to his pivotal role inside and outside the rugby field. His stature extends beyond sport, making him a larger-than-life persona. His recent decision to join the French club, Racing 92, post the 2023 World Cup prompts questions about the viability of a Springbok captain based abroad, considering SA Rugby’s persistent preference for homegrown leadership.
Potential Heirs to the Throne
Assuming this unspoken rule is upheld, three possible successors to Kolisi emerge: Eben Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am, and Bongi Mbonambi.
Eben Etzebeth, a formidable lock with the Sharks in Durban, presents an excellent candidate. His qualifications are impressive: he has the third-highest number of Springbok caps, with a staggering 119* Test appearances. His accolades consist of two World Cup winners’ medals, a Lions series triumph, and a Rugby Championship title. The combination of these accomplishments and his status as one of rugby’s most resilient characters places Etzebeth as a front runner for the captaincy.
The contribution of Lukhanyo Am, a star in centre-field, to South African rugby makes him a strong contender for captaincy. Am’s rugby expertise and his secure spot in the Springbok lineup qualify him as an apt candidate. His leadership potential is further demonstrated by his current role as the Sharks’ captain. A discussion about Springbok captaincy without Am would be unfair.
The Race for Leadership Continues
Bongi Mbonambi, similar to Etzebeth and Am, is another pillar of the Springboks, serving as a hooker for the Sharks. His achievements parallel those of the previous candidates, although his off-field persona may not be as well-known. Despite this, his leadership skills on the field and his long-standing role with the Springboks, marked by 68 Test appearances, distinguish him as a compelling candidate for the captaincy.
As the Springboks prepare for a busy Test season, the debate surrounding the captaincy is bound to escalate. The season kickstarts in June, with the Springboks set to confront formidable adversaries like Wales, Ireland, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, across varied venues from London to Johannesburg.
A New Era for South African Rugby
Leading the Springboks is no ordinary responsibility; it symbolizes the very essence of South African rugby. While speculation continues to surge, it’s evident that Kolisi’s potential successors have massive responsibilities to shoulder. As the Springboks venture into a new age, the world anticipates with excitement, as the captaincy choice will undoubtedly influence the course of South African rugby.
1. Who are the potential candidates for the captaincy of Springboks?
Eben Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am, and Bongi Mbonambi are the potential candidates for the captaincy of Springboks.
2. Who is the front runner for the captaincy of Springboks?
Eben Etzebeth, with 119* Test appearances and impressive accolades, is the front runner for the captaincy of Springboks.
3. Why is Siya Kolisi’s continuation as the captain of Springboks under evaluation?
Siya Kolisi’s continuation as the captain of Springboks is under evaluation due to his recent decision to join the French club, Racing 92, post the 2023 World Cup.
4. What are the achievements of Eben Etzebeth that make him a strong contender for captaincy?
Eben Etzebeth has the third-highest number of Springbok caps, with a staggering 119* Test appearances. His accolades consist of two World Cup winners’ medals, a Lions series triumph, and a Rugby Championship title, which make him a strong contender for captaincy.
5. Why is Lukhanyo Am a compelling candidate for the captaincy?
Lukhanyo Am is a star in the centre-field, and his rugby expertise and his secure spot in the Springbok lineup qualify him as an apt candidate for the captaincy. His leadership potential is further demonstrated by his current role as the Sharks’ captain.
6. When does the Springbok’s Test season kickstart, and who will they confront?
The Springbok’s Test season kickstarts in June, and they will confront formidable adversaries like Wales, Ireland, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, across varied venues from London to Johannesburg.
