YohWhatAYear: Scrolla.Africa is counting down the heroes and horrors of 2023. Our number one hero is the Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.
In his interview one minute after the Springboks’ victory at the World Cup, Siya Kolisi’s first thoughts were for South Africa and its people.
“Our country goes through a lot and the Springboks are their hope,” he said.
“People that are not from South Africa don’t understand what this means for our country.”
Siyamthanda Kolisi, the man they call Siya, has become much more than just a fine rugby player.
The call of “Siya! Siya!” was heard at the airport on 12 August 2019 when the Springbok squad was leaving to go to the World Cup and a handful of people called his name. As the weeks progressed, the modest call became a well-known chant. After the World Cup victory, when the Springboks came into the arrivals hall at OR Tambo, the chant had become a roar.
Wherever he is seen around the world, whatever the situation, he represents the Springbok rugby team and the people of South Africa with humility and dignity.
But then, given what life has thrown at the youngster from Zwide in the Eastern Cape, there is very little that he still has to learn about living tough.
He was playing for the Free State when Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus helped to get him out of his contract so that he could move to Cape Town.
“For some reason, Rassie always saw something in me,” said Siya.
Siya loved Cape Town and Cape Town loved him right back. When Siya raced headlong into the Mother City’s social life, Rassie (an infamous party animal in his younger days) gave Siya some sobering advice.
Siya remembers: “He called me in and he said you’re stuffing up an opportunity that could change your life.”
And Siya listened.
From the darkest streets of the township to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in Paris in 2023, the kid from Zwide has come a long way.
Pictured above: Siya Kolisi.
Image source: X
