South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus is “not sure” whether to continue with Siya Kolisi as captain.
Kolisi last year became the second captain after New Zealand’s Richie McCaw to win back-to-back World Cups.
Following the 12-11 victory over New Zealand in October’s final, the 83-cap flanker joined Paris outfit Racing 92.
“Siya is playing some of his best rugby, but I prefer to have my captain locally based as that allows for more interaction,” Erasmus said.
“This is a unique situation and I think he [Kolisi] will play some Test matches, he certainly wants to, but we are not sure about the captaincy.”
Kolisi left the Durban-based Sharks to make his move to France.
In February, the Springboks confirmed Erasmus would return as head coach until 2027 after the departure of Jacques Nienaber to Leinster.
Erasmus, who was head coach for the 2019 victory, chose Kolisi as his captain in 2018 ahead of the World Cup in Japan, which meant he became South Africa’s first black skipper.
The flanker, now 32, suffered a nasty knee injury ahead of the 2023 World Cup but recovered just in time to lead his country to victory.
In both one-point victories over France and England in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, Kolisi was replaced early in the second half.
Since the World Cup, Kolisi has established himself as a top performer for Racing, making 12 appearances for his new side.
“In 2018 we had a roadmap for the players and we said, ‘Where will this guy be in 2019, 2023 and 2027?'” said Erasmus, who was South Africa’s director of rugby for the 2023 World Cup.
“We know exactly which players can only last another year, and we have given them the task to help the youngsters before they leave.
“But it is a challenge to tell a player, ‘OK, you must stop now.’ We have guys in their 30s who believe they can win another World Cup.”
