Siya Kolisi recalls 'horror' captaincy debut ahead of 72nd milestone against England
<h2>SPRINGBOKS</h2>
<p>Siya Kolisi is set to lead the Springboks for the 72nd time on July 4, returning to Ellis Park to face England — the exact venue and opponent of his emotional captaincy debut eight years ago. Photo: Backpagepix</p>
<p>Image: Backpagepix</p>
<p>On July 4 at Ellis Park, <strong><a href="https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks/2026-06-21-siya-kolisi-reflects-on-valuable-lessons-from-springboks-12-try-rout-of-barbarians/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Siya Kolisi</a></strong> will lead the <strong><a href="https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks/2026-06-24-rassies-boks-wont-change-test-match-approach-to-chase-nations-championship-bonus-points/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Springboks</a></strong> for the 72nd time, in the season-opener against<strong><a href="https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks/2026-06-23-rassie-erasmus-on-pollock-and-england-they-will-be-young-fearless-we-must-be-at-our-best/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> England</a></strong>.</p>
<p>The captaincy armband long ago became a part of his match-day uniform, but how well he recalls the tumult of captaining the Boks for the first time, eight years ago, against the same opponents and at the same venue.</p>
<p>There had been massive pre-match hype around the 26-year-old being the Springboks’ first black African captain, but the excitement turned to horror when the Boks plunged to a 24-3 deficit in the opening quarter as Eddie Jones’ England ran riot. The Boks were shell-shocked and none more so than Kolisi, as he candidly admitted in a press conference 10 days before England’s return to Ellis Park.</p>







