Trying to rate the greatest Springbok captains of all time is an extremely challenging task, with so many incredible leaders having taken on this immense responsibility over the last few decades.
The role of the Springbok skipper transcends well beyond just an on-field role, and South Africa has been blessed with incredible leaders who have navigated a variety of challenges during their captaincy tenures.
Here we rank who we believe are the three greatest Springbok captains of all time:
1 Siya Kolisi
A double World Cup-winning captain. A nation builder. A philanthropist. A global icon. Kolisi’s impact as a leader is so multi-faceted that it has, and will continue to transcend the game.
As is stands, Kolisi is already second on the all-time list for games as Springbok skipper (61), and there is every indication that he is going to be carefully managed to make it through to the next global showpiece in 2027.
If he can stay fit and on form, it’s highly likely that the 33-year-old could ultimately become the most-capped Springbok captain of all time.
Kolisi’s influence goes way beyond just those sort of milestones and numbers, though, with his incredible on-field captaincy complemented perfectly by his ability to serve as an iconic role-model both locally and globally, while making a massive impact through his philanthropy and community outreach.
The influential loose-forward’s captaincy career is far from over, and yet as it stands, there is every reason to already regard Kolisi as the greatest Springbok skipper of all time.
2 John Smit
As ask anyone who played under the leadership of Smit, and they will tell you he was one of the greatest captains the game has ever seen.
Besides his 111 Tests as a player, he also captained the Springboks in a remarkable 83 Tests, which included leading the team through the successful 2007 World Cup and iconic 2009 British & Irish Lions series.
Smit was a born leader, with his affable personality, but highly competitive spirit, enabling him to bring the team together on and off the pitch.
His captaincy and Test career came to an end after the Springboks’ disappointing exit from the 2011 World Cup, but his legacy as an all-time great captain and player will forever remain firmly entrenched in South African rugby history.
3 Francois Pienaar
It seems somewhat of a travesty to not included Gary Teichmann in the top three great captains, but how can you overlook the indelible impact of Francois Pienaar?
When it comes to inspirational leadership that went far beyond the white lines of the rugby field, Pienaar simply has to have a place on the podium.
Another natural leader, he was appointed captain for his first international appearance in 1993 and he maintained this role in all of the 29 Tests played for the Springboks.
With Pienaar at the helm, the Springboks enjoyed 15 successive Test victories between 1994 and 1995, the most iconic of which was undoubtedly the victory over the All Blacks in the final of the World Cup that united the nation.
The image of the late great Nelson Mandela donning Pienaar’s No 6 jersey, as well as the wholesome interaction between the two, will forever remain one of rugby’s most iconic images.
After the inauguration of South Africa in 1993 and reintegration of the Springboks into the international fold following the fall of apartheid, Francois Pienaar played a pinnacle role in the development of the sport, cultural unification and a historic World Cup triumph.
He is widely recognised as one of the most inspirational captains in the history of the game, and stands tall as one of the prime examples of just how a Springbok leader can have such an impact on society and South Africa.
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