TIME TO SALUTE CAPTAIN SIYA

“He’s doing the breakdown work on attack, he’s carrying the ball on attack and he’s cleaning out.

“He’s really doing the old blindside flanker job like Andre Venter did. It’s not flashy but it’s physical and it’s effective. It’s another string to his bow.’

Kolisi, in the opening two Tests against England, vindicated Erasmus on every front.

His play in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein was world class and his leadership huge in shaping the most dramatic fightback in Joburg for the Boks to win 42-39 after trailing 24-3.

Kolisi’s calm and presence again was at the fore of a Springboks comeback win in Bloemfontein when the hosts overturned a 12-0 deficit to triumph 23-12.

Bloemfontein, as an occasion, was particularly poign- ant: Kolisi, on his 27th birthday, became the first black Springbok captain to win a series in South Africa, and teammate Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira became the first black African to play 100 Tests for the Springboks.

Erasmus underplayed the significance of Kolisi being black, but the historic recall of the appointment won’t be as understated because it was the most incisive and impactful Springbok coach call in the history of South African rugby.

Erasmus, by backing the playing merits of a black player and making him the captain in his first home series against one of the best teams in the world, crushed all stereotype associated with Springbok rugby for the last 100 years.

Erasmus made a rugby call that spoke to modern South Africa’s playing base.

There will never be any go- ing back because Kolisi, in his play and leadership, has in this series scripted a chapter of excellence that forever will be the introduction to a new and lasting Springbok rugby story that speaks to the ambition of all South Africans.

Kolisi, in honouring his appointment as captain of the Springboks, spoke of inclusivity and a country’s people as one. He spoke of South Africans.

“I hope I get to inspire not only black people but every South African because I don’t only represent black people but everyone in the country,” said Kolisi.

“Rassie (Erasmus) showed us a picture when we assembled at camp, while we were playing for our different franchises on the field. In front of us were all South Africans from all races cheering for us,” he added.

Tendai Mtawarira, left, and new Springbok captain Siya Kolisi sing the national anthem ahead of the first Test between South Africa and England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg a fortnight ago.