0
It's a shame really that this has to come under the banner of a "Black thing" as I am sure that Chilliboy deserves it on his own merits.
What little I have seen of him he appears an awesome talent and has certainly shown himself as the heir apparent to Smits jersey, if not his Captaincy.
It must be a very proud day for Jon too.
I hope he does well, except against Australia....
Black prodigy leads Boks
From correspondents in Johannesburg/ FoxSports
November 30, 2006
CHILLIBOY Ralepelle will make history on Sunday when he becomes the first black player to lead a senior South Africa rugby team.
Ralepelle, 20, who has captained the South Africa under-19 and under-21 sides to world titles, replaces Jon Smit both as hooker and skipper when he leads out a Springbok XV against a World XV in South Africa's final match of the season-ending, northern hemisphere tour.
Smit, who has returned home along with several other players following the three-Test (northern) autumn series, has been a crucial factor in Ralepelle's rise to prominence, having paid part of his school fees at the prestigious Pretoria Boys High where Smit also studied.
"(Smit) had a lot to do with my upbringing as a schoolboy and he has helped me a lot," Ralepelle said earlier this year.
"He was always there for me. Any fees or whatever my parents couldn't afford, he was only too willing to help.
"He is a big brother, friend, captain and a great leader and mentor. Since then our relationship has grown immense," added Ralepelle, whose real first name is Mahlatse ('The blessed one' in Sotho) but took on the name given to him by his grandfather.
It will be Ralepelle's first start for the national team having had only limited game time from the bench up to now.
The match is not an official Test, which means Ralepelle will not win a cap or go down in the history books as a Bok captain alongside Smit, who has led South Africa a record 38 times.
The Springboks' big find, from matches with Ireland and England this month, 19-year-old Francois Steyn, will wear the No.10 jersey. His halfback partner will be Ruan Pienaar.
Agence France-Presse