CAPE TOWN – “So proud of u, Captain!” exclaimed 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk on Monday as he congratulated Siya Kolisi on being appointed as the Springbok captain for the three-Test series against England in June.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus made the announcement on Monday morning, adding that lock Pieter-Steph du Toit would lead the side for the one-off Test against Wales in Washington DC on Saturday.
Kolisi will not travel to the US at all, with Erasmus announcing an exciting young squad with a number of uncapped players to take on the Welsh.
Former Springboks Breyton Paulse, Bryan Habana and Thando Manana also wished Kolisi well on Twitter…
Breyton Paulse
Congrats Siya Kolisi who will Captain them Boks for the incoming Tests vs England,Welldone to Pieter-Steph Du Toit who will Captain the Boks vs Wales,now lets support these warriors,so happy for them
Thando Manana
History in the making: Siya Kolisi is our new Springbok Captain. You have my 100% Gqwashu, Gxiya, Tikayimani ne Pokoto. Congratulations Pa.
History in the making: 👏👌Siya Kolisi is our new Springbok Captain 🇿🇦. You have my 100% Gqwashu, Gxiya, Tikayimani ne Pokoto. Congratulations Pa. 🏉🏉🇿🇦🇿🇦 #Leader #ixeshalifikile #thumamima pic.twitter.com/3pDRodxvq7
— ThandoManana (@TandoManana) May 28, 2018
Wayde van Niekerk
Yes!!!! Congrats my brother!!! So proud of u, Captain! #siyakolisi
Cheryl Roberts (1992 SA Olympian in table tennis)
A black rugby player has been appointed captain of the South African men’s rugby Springbok team. He is Siya Kolisi from Western Province who played his grassroots rugby in the Eastern Cape; the region that has produced amazing black rugby talent over the past century #SiyaKolisi
Bryan Habana
#TooProud!!! You've come a long way my friend!!! Captain Kolisi!!
#TooProud!!! You’ve have come a long way my friend!!! Captain Kolisi!! pic.twitter.com/xRzraN11IT
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) May 28, 2018
Congrats to our very own Siya Kolisi for being appointed as the captain of the @Springboks! Massive honour and well deserved 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/4AbVSo48K3
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 28, 2018
Corné Krige
Congratulations @Siya_Kolisi on being appointed Bok captain.
You are a machine!
JP Pietersen
Congratulations Siyamthanda Kolisi on being named Captain of @Springboks I am so happy and proud bhuda! Good luck for the Test matches
@ashfakmohamed