Springbok captaincy shifts as Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth alternate leadership in crucial United Kingdom Test matches

The camaraderie between Springbok stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth goes beyond friendship as they take on shared leadership duties for South Africa’s national rugby team.

This season, the two are swapping the captain’s armband depending on the demands of the game, showcasing their mutual respect and team-first mentality.

Kolisi’s Role and Tour Captaincy

While Kolisi was officially named captain for the Springboks’ end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom, he started their first game against Scotland from the bench.

Even off the field initially, his leadership presence remained strong as he supported his team from the sidelines.

Etzebeth, stepping in seamlessly, wore the captain’s armband and guided the Springboks to a solid 32-15 victory.

Kolisi and Etzebeth’s Captaincy Stats

Kolisi’s journey as a Springbok leader has been remarkable.

He’s captained the team 59 times out of his 90 Test appearances, setting a standard with his performance and leadership.

Etzebeth, with 129 Tests under his belt, has captained the team 14 times, a role he’s proven effective in, though less frequently than Kolisi.

Each has contributed significantly, yet in slightly different ways, to South Africa’s success on the rugby field.

Records and Win Percentages: Who Leads in Stats?

Kolisi’s win percentage as captain stands at an impressive 69.5%, with 41 wins out of 59 games.

In contrast, Etzebeth has a 50% win rate as captain, having won 7 of his 14 matches.

Kolisi continues to close in on the record for most Springbok Tests as captain, a title held by John Smit.

For Etzebeth, one more game as captain will put him on par with another Springbok legend, Morne du Plessis.

Looking Ahead: A Dynamic Leadership Duo

With Kolisi and Etzebeth both embracing the captain’s role as needed, the Springboks are benefiting from two world-class leaders.

Whether Kolisi or Etzebeth dons the captain’s armband, the Springbok team knows they have a steady hand to guide them forward into future victories.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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