Nick Mallett offers frank view on Siya Kolisi’s Springboks future while ‘extraordinary’ Willie le Roux is primed for new role
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and playmaker Willie le Roux in action in 2024.
Former Springboks head coach Nick Mallett insists that it will be “really tough” for captain Siya Kolisi to make the next Rugby World Cup in Australia.
South Africa’s skipper is currently 33 and will be 36 by the time the global tournament kicks off in October 2027.
Kolisi has led the Boks to consecutive world titles having captained them in both the 2019 and 2023 successes, but Mallett doubts that he will be there in two years’ time.
Kolisi’s superb form
The back-rower has been playing some outstanding rugby for both the Sharks and the Springboks, but age will inevitably catch up to him at some point, it just depends on when that is.
“He’s playing great rugby but three more years at that level… I would love to have him as a captain at the next World Cup but it’s going to be really tough,” Mallett told the Boks Office podcast.
The ex-South Africa head coach was joined on the show by ex-Boks assistant Gary Gold, who agreed with Mallett, saying: “It’s going to be tight.”
Kolisi was one of a number of over 30s listed by host Hanyani Shimange as he asked Mallett and Gold for their opinions on whether they would make it to Australia.
The former reckoned that Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth and Handre Pollard would be around for that tournament, but felt that Vincent Koch, Makazole Mapimpi and Willie le Roux would be eased out by Rassie Erasmus.
Meanwhile, Gold disagreed on Malherbe, believing that other tightheads would come through, but had the same opinion on the other players.
Of those mentioned, Le Roux is the oldest and Mallett believes that, even if he is phased out from a playing standpoint, Erasmus would want to use his rugby intellect in some capacity.
Le Roux’s next role?
“He might even be a back three consultant,” he said. “What Rassie does is he keeps [Duane] Vermeulen, keeps Willie to organise the back three because [Aphelele] Fassi’s still got a bit of learning to do, although he’s playing magnificent rugby at the moment.
“You’ve got Damian Willemse and Fassi, it’s hard to keep those guys out of the team, they really are box office those guys.”
Gold also praised Le Roux and believes that he is already having a big influence on the younger players in the Springboks squad.
“Willie’s very, very good with the youngsters as well, he doesn’t get enough credit for that. I know he gets some stick for it when you see him on the bench in Cardiff shouting and screaming from the sidelines, and people get the wrong impression,” he said.
“He’s very invested and it’s on record that a lot of the youngsters give him credit. Kurt-Lee gives him credit, Canan gives him credit – they love playing with him – because he’s a general. He calls the shots from the back.
“I think as he’s got older, he’s got better and better. He’s used the experience more. His decision-making with his age has become really, really good.
“From that point of view, I know guys like Danny Cipriani – like him or don’t like him – loved playing with him at Wasps because he had a constant coach behind him.”
Ex-Springboks boss reveals the ‘unusual combination’ which makes Rassie Erasmus so ‘extraordinary’
Feel for the game
Le Roux has had criticism from some quarters but Erasmus has remained loyal and it is no surprise that the Springboks’ attack has tended to operate better when the 35-year-old has been on the field.
“Not only does he coach but he’s really got a feel. Willie’s extraordinary, his timing of the pass is so good, he’s one of the guys that doesn’t give it too early, doesn’t give it too late, he always gives it at the right time. He’s a very, very intelligent rugby player,” Mallett added.
“The guys who’ve spent six years with Rassie are in a golden period, that’s why they’re getting [selected]. If you don’t lose a game or you’re losing very few games and winning World Cups, they’re not going to throw you out.
“That’s where a lot of those guys, Willie in particular, have really benefited from a stable coaching environment.”
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