South Africa: Kriel to Lead Boks Against Barbarians in Late Change After Kolisi Cries Off Injured

27 June 2025
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)

Siya Kolisi's late withdrawal from the Springbok side that will face the Barbarians on 28 June means Jesse Kriel will captain the national team for the first time.

Jesse Kriel will lead the Springboks for the first time after Siya Kolisi was withdrawn from the team to face the Barbarians at DHL Stadium in Cape Town due to an unspecified "niggle".

It's a late blow for the Boks, but probably something the squad had factored in during their preparations.

Coach Rassie Erasmus spoke at some length earlier in the week about growing the leadership pool in 2025, specifically noting that Kolisi would not play every game this season.

It's a significant moment for Kriel, who has been one of the Boks' brilliantly consistent performers for five years. Unfortunately, because the match does not carry Test status, he will not officially be recognised as the Boks' 67th Test captain.

But if Kolisi's injury is more serious than expected, Kriel could officially become Bok captain No 67 against Italy at Loftus Versfeld next weekend. That would be fitting because it was in the colours of the Bulls where Kriel initially made his name.

Kriel was named as the vice-captain for the match...

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