The upcoming Rugby Championship in July presents a unique challenge for South Africa’s head coach, Jacques Nienaber. With Siya Kolisi recovering from knee surgery, Nienaber has to find an optimal stand-in captain for the Springboks. There are several captaincy options, including Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Steven Kitshoff, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Duane Vermeulen.
The Challenge of a Split Squad
Nienaber and the Springboks’ coaching staff face a challenging schedule, as the squad needs to split for fixtures against Australia and New Zealand to combat jet lag. This strategy proved effective during their 2019 World Cup campaign, with a win over Australia and a draw against New Zealand contributing to their overall victory. However, this time around, Nienaber may require two caretaker captains to lead the divided squad.
The Importance of the Opening Match
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has emphasized the importance of winning the opening Rugby Championship match against Australia. The Wallabies, led by new coach Eddie Jones, are considered a strong rival. Jones, who coached the England team defeated by South Africa in the last World Cup final, will be eager for a chance to “put one over” on his opponents.
The Captaincy Contenders
Duane Vermeulen, who turns 37 next month, could be a popular choice among the captaincy contenders. Although Erasmus has hinted at a new role for the former Ulster forward, similar to Francois Louw’s impactful substitute appearances during the last World Cup, Vermeulen could still start in Pretoria if first-choice number eight Jasper Wiese is among the early arrivals in Auckland.
Lukhanyo Am is considered a captaincy favorite due to his quiet authority, which mirrors that of Kolisi. Pieter-Steph du Toit, the 2019 Rugby Player of the Year, is an outstanding flanker who can also play lock. However, his injury-prone nature might be a concern. Steven Kitshoff, another candidate, has captained the Stormers to the 2023 United Rugby Championship final. Eben Etzebeth, who has 110 caps and has previously led the Springboks, is an experienced and obvious choice for the role. Damian de Allende, though considered an outsider in the race, still remains an option for Nienaber.
Crucial Preparation for the World Cup Title Defense
The upcoming Rugby Championship and three warm-up games will serve as crucial preparation for South Africa’s World Cup title defense. After facing Scotland, the Springboks will compete against Romania, Ireland, currently ranked number one in the world, and Tonga in Pool B. The winners and runners-up of the pool will advance to the quarter-finals.
Striking a Balance for a Successful Campaign
Nienaber must strike a balance between performance and player management to ensure a successful campaign. His choice of stand-in captain will play a significant role in shaping South Africa’s fortunes, both in the championship and their World Cup title defense.
