Siya Kolisi stands head and shoulders above his contemporaries on a list of the greatest captains to have ever played rugby that includes Francois Pienaar and John Smit.
The talismanic Springbok trio were named among a star-studded group compiled by Ruck.co.uk, that includes four English players and nine World Cup winners.
Kolisi became just the second player to lead a successful defence of the Webb Ellis Cup in November 2023, after captaining the Boks to the 2019 title.
In both years, the 33-year-old loose forward had to overcome serious knee injuries that threatened his very participation in the tournament.
As the first black Bok captain, Kolisi has become a national icon, and recently led his countrymen to a fourth straight win over the All Blacks that set a new streak against their rivals in the professional era, while also returning the Freedom Cup to South Africa for the first time since 2009.
Explaining Kolisi’s selection, Ruck stated: “Kolisi, South Africa’s first black captain, led the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 2019 and 2023, symbolising unity and excellence.”
Pienaar skippered the Boks to victory in the 1995 World Cup, the first major tournament held in post-apartheid South Africa.
He was praised by late president Nelson Mandela for his leadership in helping to unite all of South Africa behind the Springboks.
The loose forward debuted as Bok captain in 1993 and held the position for all of his 29 Tests. He was named International Player of the Year in 1994 by Rugby World magazine and Rugby Personality of the Year by Britain’s Union Writers’ Club.
“Pienaar captained South Africa to their first Rugby World Cup victory in 1995, uniting a nation with his leadership and vision,” Ruck stated.
Smit guided the Boks in 83 Tests that included World Cup glory in 2007, and would skipper his country to victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2009.
When he took over the captaincy of the Boks permanently in 2004, Smith found himself in the thick of it, after two years of controversy off the field and defeat in virtually every major battle on it.
His quiet diplomacy, together with Bok coach Jake White, helped the Boks rediscover not just their self-respect but made them more feared throughout the rugby world than at any time since they won the World Cup in 1995.
Ruck adds, “The captain of South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning team, Smit was an exceptional hooker known for his grit and leadership.”
Ruck’s Top 20 captains of all time:
20. Phillipe Saint-Andre (France)
19. Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
18. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
17. John Dawes (Wales)
16. Will Carling (England)
15. Agustin Pichot (Argentina)
14. John Smit (South Africa)
13. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
12. Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand)
11. Sam Warburton (Wales)
10. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
9. Sarah Hunter (England)
8. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
7. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
6. Willie John McBride (Ireland)
5. John Eales (Australia)
4. Francois Pienaar (South Africa)
3. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2. Martin Johnson (England)
1. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images
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