Siya Kolisi

Last updated

Siyamthanda Kolisi
Siya Kolisi 2022.jpg
Kolisi playing for South Africa in 2022
Full nameSiyamthanda Kolisi
Date of birth (1991-06-16) 16 June 1991 (age 32)
Place of birth Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) [1]
Weight99 kg (218 lb; 15 st 8 lb) [1]
School Grey High School
Spouse
Rachel (née Smith) Kolisi
​
​
(m. 2016)​
Children2
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose forward
Current team Racing 92 [2]
Youth career
2007–2009 Eastern Province Kings
2010–2012 Western Province
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2011–2021 Western Province 34 (35)
2012–2020 Stormers 118 (95)
2021–2023 Sharks 31 (20)
2023– Racing 92 4 (0)
Correct as of 26 November 2023
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2010–2011 South Africa U20 8 (10)
2013– South Africa 83 (50)
Correct as of 28 October 2023
Medal record
Men's Rugby 15's
Representing Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Rugby World Cup
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2015 England Squad
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2019 Japan Squad
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 France Squad

Siyamthanda "Siya" Kolisi OIG , (born 16 June 1991) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently captains the South Africa national team. Having formerly played for the Stormers and Sharks in South Africa, he currently plays for Racing 92 in the French Top 14. [3] [4] [5] He generally plays as a flanker and a loose forward. [6] [7] In 2018, Kolisi was appointed captain of the Springboks, becoming the first black man to hold the position [8] [9] and eventually leading the South African Rugby team to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final against England. [10]

Contents

In December 2019, Kolisi was named in New African magazine's list of 100 Most Influential Africans. In April 2023, Kolisi was bestowed the National Order of Ikhamanga by the South African Government for his contributions to rugby. [11] [12] In October 2023, Siya Kolisi captained South Africa to a historic fourth Rugby World Cup in Paris, France, and became only the second captain to win the title back-to-back. Kolisi is one of 44 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions and one of 25 South Africans to do so.

Early life

Kolisi grew up in Zwide, iBhayi, a township in Port Elizabeth. Kolisi's mother, Phakama, was 16 when Siya was born and his father, Fezakele, was in his final year of school. Kolisi's mother died when he was 15, leaving his late grandmother, Nolulamile, to raise him. [13] At the age of 12, he impressed scouts at a youth tournament in Mossel Bay and was offered a scholarship at Grey Junior in Port Elizabeth. He was subsequently offered a rugby scholarship to Grey High School, which South African cricketer Graeme Pollock and England International Mike Catt had attended. Kolisi was a regular member of the first XV high school rugby team. He was also a part of the Eastern Province Kings youth set-up between 2007 and 2009, playing in the Under-16 Grant Khomo week and the Under-18 Craven Week before shifting west to join Western Province. [14] [15] He further represented the South Africa national under-18 rugby union team (SA Schools team) for two consecutive years. [16]

Club career

Kolisi made his senior debut for Western Province against the Golden Lions during the 2011 Vodacom Cup and later in the year several injuries and international call-ups gave him the opportunity to make regular starts in the Currie Cup domestic rugby competition. He made 13 appearances and scored 4 tries during the campaign including a crucial score against bitter rivals the Blue Bulls. [3] [7]

2012 saw Kolisi graduate to the Stormers squad and he made an immediate impact with 16 appearances during the season, scoring one try. The second half of the year was not so kind to him as a thumb injury restricted him to just one appearance in the 2012 Currie Cup and he had to watch on from the sidelines as Province lifted the trophy for their 33rd Currie Cup title. [17]

Kolisi returned with a bang the following year and held his place in the Stormers side despite fierce competition among the loose forwards. 13 appearances and 2 tries were recorded and this earned him his first international recognition. Being part of the Springbok set-up for the 2013 Rugby Championship meant he only played in Western Province's final 3 matches of the 2013 Currie Cup and was powerless to prevent them from slipping to a surprise 33–19 home defeat to the Sharks in the final of the competition. [7]

Kolisi was selected as the new captain of the Stormers on 20 February 2017. [18] He was selected as the new captain of the Springboks on 28 May 2018, becoming the team's first black captain in its 126-year history. [19] Bryan Habana, former Springbok and of mixed race, praised Kolisi's appointment: "It's a monumental moment for South African rugby, and a moment in South African history." [8]

Kolisi was on the board of directors of MyPlayers Rugby, which is the players' organisation of all the professional rugby players in South Africa.

Kolisi signed for the Sharks in February 2021 following the successful majority share purchase of the Sharks by MVM Holidings. [5] [20]

Kolisi signed for Top 14 side Racing 92 in January 2023, joining them after the World Cup later that year. [21]

International career

Kolisi was a member of the South Africa under 20 side that competed in both the 2010 and 2011 IRB Junior World Championships. [22]

Kolisi made his national team debut as Springbok 851 on 15 June 2013 against Scotland at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. He replaced the injured Arno Botha in the 5th minute and was named as Man of the Match as South Africa won 30–17. [23] Nine further substitute appearances followed during the 2013 international season as he firmly established himself as a regular member of the national squad. [6] Kolisi also played two matches for South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup against Japan and Samoa. [24] Kolisi became the first ever black player to lead the Springboks in a Test match in the match against England at Ellis Park on 9 June 2018. [25] He captained the South African team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup tournament in Yokohama, Japan, defeating England 32–12 in the final to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. [26] This was South Africa's third World Cup win, tying with New Zealand. In 2019, Siya Kolisi became the first black captain of a World Cup-winning side. [10] [27]

Personal life

Kolisi married Rachel Smith in 2016 and as of 2022 they have two children together: son Nicholas Siyamthanda (born 2015) and daughter Keziah (born 2017). [28] [8] Since 2014 Siya's half-siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, children of Siya's mother who died in 2009, have been part of the Kolisi household, after five years in orphanages and foster care in Port Elizabeth. Rachel, one year older than Siya, is from Grahamstown and worked in event management before taking on duties as a full-time mother. [29]

Kolisi is a Christian. [30]

Kolisi is a fan of English football club Liverpool F.C. [31]

Kolisi's alma mater Grey High School renamed its first XV rugby field as The Kolisi Field in 2022, in celebration of its most famous past pupil. [32] [33]

Philanthropy

Mural of Kolisi seen at Salt River, Cape Town Siya Kolisi Mural, Salt River.jpg
Mural of Kolisi seen at Salt River, Cape Town

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, Kolisi and his wife launched The Kolisi Foundation in 2020. The foundation aims to change the narratives of inequality in South Africa. The focus areas of the Kolisi Foundation address the systemic issues in Gender-Based Violence, Food Insecurity and Education and Sport, with special attention paid to Zwide township where Kolisi grew up, and other under-resourced areas of South Africa. [34]

Kolisi with his friend, cricketer Faf du Plessis, donated food to the community street feeding scheme in Bonteheuwel during the pandemic.[ citation needed ]

In July 2020, Kolisi was named a UN Global Advocate for the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls. [35] [36]

Honours

Statistics

Test match record

As of 7 August 2022
OpponentPWDLTriPtsWin %
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1080242080
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 83230050
  British and Irish Lions 32010066.67
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 110000100
Flag of England.svg  England 63030050
Flag of France.svg  France 660015100
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 110000100
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 42020050
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 110000100
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 32010066.67
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 110015100
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 103070030
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 220000100
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 330000100
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 75021571.43
Total674322173564.18

P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, Tri = Tries scored, Pts = Points scored

Test tries (10)

TriesOppositionLocationVenueCompetitionDateResult
1Flag of France.svg  France Durban, South Africa Kings Park Stadium Test match 17 June 2017Won 37–15
1Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Port Elizabeth, South Africa Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium 2017 Rugby Championship 19 August 2017Won 37–15
2Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Salta, Argentina Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena 2017 Rugby Championship 26 August 2017Won 41–23
1Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Mendoza, Argentina Estadio Malvinas Argentinas 2018 Rugby Championship 25 August 2018Lost 19–32
1Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia Aichi Prefecture, Japan Toyota Stadium 2019 Rugby World Cup 28 September 2019Won 57–3
1Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town Stadium 2022 Wales tour of South Africa 16 July 2022Won 30–14
1Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Durban, South Africa Kings Park Stadium 2022 Rugby Championship 24 September 2022Won 38–21
1Flag of France.svg  France Marseille, France Stade Vélodrome 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals 12 November 2022Lost 26–30
1Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand London, England Twickenham Stadium 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 25 August 2023Won 7–35

Super Rugby statistics

As of 9 June 2020
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesPointsYellow card.svgRed card.svg
2012 Stormers 161511,1651500
2013 Stormers1313095621000
2014 Stormers15967331500
2015 Stormers161248851500
2016 Stormers1611580121010
2017 Stormers131301,00963000
2018 Stormers151411,04221000
2019 Stormers1110176542010
2020 Stormers110260000
Total11698187,382199520

Bibliography

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References

  1. 1 2 rugbybworldcup.com. "Siya Kolisi (South-africa)". www.rugbyworldcup.com. rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ↑ Mjikeliso, Sibusiso. "Siya Kolisi reveals Dan Carter's influence in decision to join Racing 92". News24 Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Siya Kolisi WP Rugby Player Profile". WP Rugby. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "Siya Kolisi Stormers Player Profile". Stormers. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  5. 1 2 "SIYA KOLISI IS OFFICIALLY A SHARK". The Sharks. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  6. 1 2 "SA Rugby Player Profile – Siya Kolisi". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "Siya Kolisi itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 Jones, Chris (9 June 2018). "South Africa v England: Siya Kolisi - the Springboks captain uniting a country". BBC Sport/BBC Radio 5 Live . Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  9. ↑ "Rugby World Cup final: Siya Kolisi, South Africa's first black captain & legacy of 1995". BBC Sport. 30 October 2019.
  10. 1 2 Shine, Ossian (2 November 2019). "A Rainbow Nation turns golden as Siya Kolisi lifts the World Cup". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  11. ↑ Hemmonsbey, Keanan (28 April 2023). "OFF FIELD RECOGNITION: Injured Kolisi honoured with National Order of Ikhamanga". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  12. ↑ Khumalo, Juniour. "Siya Kolisi, Desiree Ellis, Tracy Chapman among 32 bestowed national orders by Ramaphosa". News24. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  13. ↑ Ray, Craig (6 June 2018). "Siya Kolisi: 'We represent something much bigger than we can imagine'". The Guardian.
  14. ↑ "Kolisi's living the dream". SA Rugby Mag . 13 June 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  15. ↑ "Kolisi – a Green & Gold, father & son reunion". Supersport. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  16. ↑ "Siya Kolisi True Story" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "WP's Kolisi out for the season". Sport 24. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  18. ↑ Lewis, Carl. "Siya Kolisi to captain Stormers" . Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  19. ↑ "Siya Kolisi: South Africa name first black Test captain for England series". BBC Sport. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  20. ↑ Mjikeliso, Sibusiso. "SuperSport CEO on Sharks stake sale to MVM, Siya Kolisi mega move". Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  21. ↑ "Springbok World Cup-winning skipper Kolisi signs for Racing 92". France 24. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  22. ↑ "Siya Kolisi IRB JWC Player Profile". IRB. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  23. ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 30–17 Scotland". South African Rugby Union. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  24. ↑ "Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Player analysis - Siya Kolisi - Test matches". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  25. ↑ "Happy Birthday Siya Kolisi! 13 facts about the Springboks' skipper". Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  26. ↑ "South Africa captain Siya Kolisi: 'we can achieve anything if we work together' – video". The Guardian. 2 November 2019. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  27. ↑ Pye, John (31 October 2019). "Springboks' 1st black captain gets his chance at history". ABC News. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  28. ↑ "Rachel and Siya Kolisi welcome baby girl". citizen.co.za. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  29. ↑ Huisman, Biénne (22 May 2016). "Rugby, kids and romance for Siya Kolisi". City Press . Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  30. ↑ Mercer, Kevin (20 September 2019). "South African captain Siya Kolisi trusts in God as 2019 Rugby World Cup begins". Sports Spectrum.
  31. ↑ "Rugby World Cup winner Siya Kolisi reveals Reds inspiration on Anfield visit". Liverpool FC. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  32. ↑ Tshwaku, Khanyiso. "Grey PE greenlights plans to name main rugby field after acclaimed alumnus Siya Kolisi". Sport. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  33. ↑ "Hallowed turf renamed after Kolisi". SA Rugby magazine. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  34. ↑ Macfarlane, Christina (28 April 2020). "'There is nothing worse than hunger,' says South Africa hero Siya Kolisi of helping townships during lockdown". CNN. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  35. ↑ Nations, United. "Siya Kolisi". United Nations. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  36. ↑ "Who we are | Spotlight Initiative". spotlightinitiative.org. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  37. ↑ Sunday Times Siya Kolisi: ‘Through my own rise, I hope I can show people anything is possible’
Rugby Union Captain
Preceded by South Africa captain
2018–		Incumbent
Preceded by Rugby World Cup
winning captain
2019, 2023 		Incumbent
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