WATCH: Siya and Rassie on what transformation really means

Captain Siya Kolisi and coach Rassie Erasmus have walked a long road together, and will lead the Springboks through to their World Cup title defence next year.

The popular duo recently sat down for a conversation most coaches and captains would never have on camera.

In the Rassie+ podcast, Erasmus discusses “scouting an 18-year-old Siya for the Stormers, to the 2019 World Cup final, to what transformation really felt like for black players inside the system”.

Here is the full breakdown provided by Smash Sports. You can watch the video below or by clicking here.

0:00 Introduction: two South African icons, one honest conversation

3:00 How Rassie and Siya first started working together

5:30 Siya at 18: “naughty, raw, and he could have thrown me away”

6:54 The moment Rassie came back and made Siya Springbok captain

8:20 Why honesty in the team environment is a skill, not a given

12:17 Favourite mistakes: “I regret all of them”

19:21 What is on their minds right now: family, fatherhood, the World Cup

26:33 Does Siya still love rugby after everything?

31:35 Life after rugby and knowing when to walk away

37:13 Social media, fan noise, and how players actually get picked

WATCH THE FASCINATING CHAT BETWEEN SIYA AND RASSIE BELOW

FULL BACKING

Although Kolisi has missed the start of the Test season due to injury, Erasmus recently confirmed that there was no question the loose forward remained the team’s permanent leader.

“Without a doubt. He is fit, he is the captain,” the Bok boss stated.

Kolisi is currently with the Springboks in Argentina preparing for this Saturday’s one-off Test, and he is expected to slot in at openside flank.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will announce his matchday squad for the encounter on Tuesday (at 19:30).

The match, which will be hosted at Estadio José Amalfitani, kicks off at 21:10 (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.