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'It's not something you think about' – Siya Kolisi not caught up in historic Boks captaincy

September 14, 2018

Kolisi became the first black captain of the South African rugby side this year.

His captaincy may have been a historic moment for South African rugby but Siya Kolisi isn't letting it affect his game.

Kolisi made history in June this year when the Springboks played England at Johannesburg when he became the first black player to lead the side.

But the flanker says it was a moment he never thought of.

"It's not something you think about every day. Even now that I'm older, you don't wake up and say, 'I wish I could become Springboks captain'," he said.

"All you want to do is put on the Springboks jersey but now that I've been given this responsibility it's a great honour and a great privilege."

Despite winning the series against England earlier this year, Kolisi has begun his first Rugby Championship in charge with a rough string of results.

After a win at home against Argentina, the Springboks have suffered back-to-back away defeats by the Pumas and Wallabies and now face the All Blacks in Wellington this weekend.

Kolisi said the tough road trip just six games into his tenure as Springboks captain has been a learning curve.

"You've got to lift yourself, even if you're disappointed. When the team looks to you, they must see a confident guy that wants to take on whatever is coming their way.

"The one thing I like about myself is I'm not scared to learn from others who have been there or are more experienced than I am. I'm not scared of that."

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