He became the first ever black player to lead the Springboks in a Test match in the game against England at Ellis Park on 9 June 2018. He captained the South African team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Yokohama, Japan, defeating England 32–12 in the final to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. This was South Africa's third World Cup win, tying with New Zealand. Siya Kolisi become the first black captain of a World Cup-winning side.