Scroll down to see how 2023 Captain Kolisi dealt with a difficult question from the media. Meanwhile…..
A hungry 16 year old kid
sat in the corner of a poor South African townsland pub watching SA beat England in the final of the Rugby World Cup, Paris 2007. Wide-eyed and hungry that kid’s name was Siya Kolisi. This Saturday, Kolisi, leads the South African team onto the pitch in the 2019 RWC Final v England in Yokohama Stadium, Japan. SA’s first black captain carries the hopes and dreams of the whole of the ‘rainbow nation’.
Siya’s Mother Was 16
Kolisi’s mother, Phakama, was 16 when Siya was born and his father, Fezakele, was in his final year of school. Both were teenagers. Phakama sadly died when Siya was at the tender age of 15, leaving his grandmother, Nolulamile, to raise him. Phakama died shortly afterwards.
Hunger Makes You Do Things
“It’s tough to stay on the right path because sometimes hunger makes you do things that you never thought you would do” says Siya. Sport was “my way out”. He played on a dirt pitch with just his jockey shorts (that’s all he had) and was spotted and taken to his local club, African Bombers.
SA’s First Black Captain
A few years later, former Munster Coach, Rassie Erasmus (now SA coach) picked Springbok’s first black captain in May 2016 appointed Kolisi as the Springboks’ first black captain in its 126-year history. On Saturday’s colossal captain Kolisi wins his 50th Test cap.
Captain Colossal Kolisi married Rachel Smith, a former marketing executive, in 2016. They have two children from their inter-racial marriage, and since 2014, his half-siblings (children of his late mother), became part of the Kolisi household, (after five years in orphanages and foster care in nearby Port Elizabeth).
Caring Kolisi
“He looks after the poorest communities and clubs in Zwide. He is playing a vital role to change the lives of youngsters and players” says his primary school trainer, Eric Songwiqi (who brought him up to the local club, African Bombers). Kolisi’s roots remain in Zwide. He frequently revisits and has ploughed back into the community, and the school where he played rugby. He is not looking after himself alone” says Mr Songwigi.
Kolisi’s Rainbow Nation
“We have many different races in our country, and we have 11 official languages. It’s one of the positives in our country; it’s really beautiful and that’s why we’re called the Rainbow Nation. We have different races in the team as well, which is really beautiful, and I think it’s very important for the country for us to do well, and for us as a team” says Siya Kolisi.
It Would Change The Trajectory Of Our Country
The 2007 Rugby World Cup winning South African captain, John Smit says “It was iconic when Francois lifted the World Cup with Madiba (Mandela) 1995, and it was amazing to be able to do it myself with Thabo, but if Siya touches that trophy on Saturday… I tell you, it will be a far greater moment than 1995. Far greater. It would change the trajectory of our country.” Wow, powerful words from one hero captain about a new hero captain – whether they win, lose or draw in the Land Of The Rising Sun, this Saturday.
We can achieve all our dreams
“It just shows that when we decide to work together for one goal as a team or a country we can make anything happen. We can achieve all our dreams or goals. That’s why we want to give our best this week and hopefully do the same in the final” says Colossal Captain Kolisi, a real South African hero.
And he did.
Siya Kolisi captained the South African team that won the RWC 2019 on the 2nd Nov 2019 Yokohama Stadium, Japan.
And now he’s back!
Now he’s back in #RWC2023 in France! After beating Scotland in their opening game, some of the media asked about SA’s fly-half, the wonderfully gifted Manie Libbock whose place-kicking was poor. Listen to captain Kolisi’s answer to the press. No confrontation. No war of words. Just a humble team-building comment that turns a difficult question from the press into a morale-building, team-building answer from a true captain and leader, Siya Kolosi.
SA’s coach, Jacques Nienaber, gives a brief answer at 8.05 – 8.25 but listen to Siya Kolisi’s powerful 80-second answer at 10.03 – 11.25. It even drew applause from journalists in the crowd.
Visit Siya’s Instagram page siya_kolisi_the_bear
If you like this story, you might also like these:
He Taught Us How To Forgive ………… Nelson Mandela 1918 – 2013
We knew we were part of the universe of footballers (part 1) some of Mandela’s fellow prisoner’s tell the story about how Mandela would cheer the prisoner football team on from his cell window
Join Us – become a Great Sportsmanship Programme Ambassador and help us spread these stories – share, like, comment or introduce us to anyone who can help to share these stories far and wide – contact paul@GreatSportsmanship.org
#RWC2019 #’RWC2023 #RWC #RugbyWorldCup
Thanks man. Great story. I got chills reading it. So much loss and pain that turns into hope and joy.
Keep up the great work.
What an inspiring journey from very humble beginnings. Kolisi has inspired this and future generations. Triumph through adversity. Hats off …
Well said Dave Triumph through adversity … it is a completely different lense to look at life…..
Truly inspiring,what a great achievement against all the odds.Lets hope for a super competitive game on Saturday.
It will be Kirpal! Even if it is the ultimate game of rugby …. 3-0 to either side!! Hope this story inspires others to fulfill their dreams.
Fascinating story. Amazing what obstacles some people have to overcome in life to achieve their goals.
Yes Simon it’s interesting young people to whom we tell / share these stories in classrooms – seem to connect more with the stories of overcoming adversity more than other kinds of sportsmanship moments.
Many thanks Larry. Seems a long time ago Nelson Mandela handed Francoir Pieannar the cup = we had all these hopes and dreams for SA …. maybe, just maybe, this, Like John Smith says, is truly a significant moment in the history of SA….
What a remarkable and inspiring story.
Let’s hope it encourages others to follow the same path.
Yes Steve. His speeches have been magnificent too. He will inspire others.
Great story Paul, and what an exceptional South African captain! Would love to see Kolisi lifting the trophy but it seems like this supercharged England team have one hand on it already. Still, stranger things have happened and it’s all to play for. Looking forward to a massive final.
well well well Brendan – it just goes to show, you never know who will win a two-horse race. Eng stuffed the ABs. SA looked average and struggled to beat Wales. A weak later – ‘All Change’ SA play like men possessed and England can’t get out of the starting blocks. Watch out for Colossus Captain Kolisi….
Incredible story of how he has defied the odds as overcome massive obstacles to captain his country in the World Cup Final. Winning on Saturday would be the fairy tale ending (and surely a sequel to Invictus?)
And SA have done it – so Aran, here comes Invictus part 2.
What a great story. The love of his family, country and the beautiful game of rugby has shone through. No matter who wins tomorrow when you hear stories like this I remember the words of the song by Louis Armstrong, “what a wonderful world” we live in. Well done Paul for getting the story out there.
It is a great story, thanks Martin. I’ve a feeling that Siya Kolisi will help some good things to happen in SA (and elsewhere) in years to come. Re Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a wonderful world’, my father, coincidentally, used to tell us all to listen to this great singer singing this great song (wonderful world). Coincidentally again (!) my mother and father had a little verse framed on their bedroom wall – which I inherited and posted on this site – it has triggered a an ongoing discussion for 11 years (!!) …. trying to establish who wrote the verse – check it out https://greatmomentsofsportsmanship.com/not-that-you-won-or-lost-but-how-you-played-the-game/
What a truly inspiring story Paul. It’s wonderful to see that hope always shines through and everyone can achieve their dreams if they believe enough.
Yes Michele, the challenge, I feel, is to spread this inspiration to the youth of today who are troubled by things that never affected me as a youth – social media pressure, fear of terrorism, no stable careers, parental divorce, mental health…… and in SA unemployment and street crime but today’s result and the happiness it gives to SA may help. I’ve a feeling Siya Kolisi might be a serious role model who will be active helping the townships (he already helps his old township) and beyond….
Lifting the trophy for SA today was his destiny. He is a great role model for the next generation who struggle like he did to overcome the challenges of growing up in the townships. He made a great speech afterwards.
Hats off to Rassie for picking the first black SA captain.
Yes Pat, former Munster coach, Rassie Erasmus, made a brave decision picking Kolisi as SA’s captain just 18 months before RWC (approx) (28 May 2018), to become the team’s first black captain in SA’s rugby’s 126-year history.
Great story! Really enjoyed reading this. Very inspiring. Thanks.
Thanks Mary. I’ve a feeling we’ll be hearing more from colossal captain Kolisi.