Jean de Villiers speaks about the marvel that is Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi and how they have risen to greatness in rugby.
South Africa (12 March 2025) – In just over two and a half years’ time, Siya Kolisi may attempt to become the first man to captain a nation to three Rugby World Cup titles.
Whether that happens as Kolisi turns 34 in June remains to be seen. What is undisputed is the impact Kolisi has had on Springbok rugby and South Africa as the first black captain in the nation’s history.
Kolisi, like New Zealand’s Richie McCaw, won two Rugby World Cup titles in a row.
A third may prove beyond reach, but one former Springbok captain believes that won’t take anything away from Kolisi’s legacy.
Speaking to SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview, Jean De Villiers waxed lyrical when he spoke about Kolisi.
I watched him grow into this ‘unbelievable human being’
“I think Siya’s impact, not only on rugby, but on South Africa has been huge,” said the former centre De Villiers, who played 109 Tests for the Springboks between 2002 and 2015, including 37 caps as skipper.
“I’ve been extremely fortunate to have seen Siya grow from the 18-year-old arriving at Western Province, making his debut for the Stormers, making his debut for the Springboks, and evolving into this unbelievable human being that has also given back so much.”
As the South African rugby landscape slowly transformed from white Afrikaaner to a fully integrated team in its current form, the significance of Kolisi’s rise to the top has been vital in making the game more accessible to the nation.
Inspirational, remarkable Kolisi story
“He is so inspirational in what he has done. His life story is an exceptional one. And yeah, it will be a remarkable story if he is able to go to a third World Cup and lead the team. And if the team can win it as well, it will be exceptional,” De Villiers told SportsBoom.co.za.
“It’s great, it really is to hear the back stories of so many of these players and Siya being right at the front of that, and to see the performances on the field from the team.”
Still, Kolisi will be aged 38 by the time the next Rugby World Cup comes around, and the odds will be stacked against the loose forward making it to the tournament. The incredible depth in Springbok rugby at the moment will make it even more difficult for Kolisi to keep his place in the team.
“The way that they are going at the moment, there is no reason why they can’t do it. Obviously, we can’t look into the future, but yeah, Siya plays such a big part, not just on the field but off the field as well.”
“I also think it will be the first to say it’s certainly not a one-man show. Each person within that environment needs to understand their roles, and they’ve certainly implemented those roles in the past. And as a unit, they work very well together.”
How Rassie Erasmus Drives the Springboks’ Success
One man that is intrinsically linked to Kolisi is Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. A former Springbok loosie between 1997 and 2001, Erasmus has been something of a phenomenon since he turned to coaching. After joining the Springbok coaching staff as Director of Rugby in 2017, Erasmus worked alongside Jacques Nienaber since 2018.
Together, the duo formed a formidable coaching force, and since Nienaber left the Springboks after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Erasmus has remained with the team as they continue to be the dominant force in world rugby.
Much like Kolisi, the impact Erasmus has had on Springbok rugby is difficult to quantify, said De Villiers.
“When you speak about Siya, when you speak about the Springboks, and the successes that they’ve had, Rassie is right at the top of that.”
“He just goes about his business. I think he’s an absolute genius when it comes to rugby, and just constantly trying to get better. You know, it’s so easy to say, OK, I won a World Cup, you know, that’s enough.”
“But he’s improving all the time. He’s changing things around all the time. No one has ever been that settled within that squad because he’s challenging them constantly by the way that he wants to play, by adding new stuff to the way that they play, by selecting new players.”
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