By Lucky Vince Pienaar
Being a top international athlete requires fitness, both physical and mental.
As the news of Rachel and Siya Kolisi’s divorce rocks the sporting world, it is important to ask: what will happen to Siya Kolisi as the Springbok captain?
The undeniable truth is that Siya is an emotional person.
When Racing 92 rugby club’s Jacky Lorenzetti made his famous statement about Siya after the match against Bordeaux, saying that Siya had “gained weight and lost shape and was transparent,” he was wrong, but not totally out of line.
Siya, when he wasn’t injured, wasn’t playing badly, but he did not produce the standard of rugby that he delivers while playing for the green and gold.
Steven Kitshoff, who also ended his contract early with Ulster, was also, to use Lorenzetti’s words, a little “transparent”.
Interestingly, Eben Etzebeth was captain of the Sharks team last week against Glasgow even though Siya was on the field. It may or may not say something about his mental condition, but that is pure speculation, and Siya did have an excellent game.
Back in 2008, when Rassie Erasmus had moved from the Cheetahs to join the Stormers, he snatched the young Siya Kolisi to join him in the Western Cape, and Siya immediately enjoyed the good life.
Rassie documents in his biography that he had to warn Siya about the “horse racing and the wine farms” because Siya was having the time of his life.
He warned Siya that he had a chance to become a great rugby player but was throwing it away. The record shows that Siya clearly heeded the warning.
Rassie himself has not had a stable private life either. In his book, he speaks about his children and refers lovingly to his mother, but he seldom mentions his then-wife, Nicolene.
Their divorce last year was no surprise and did not result in much media attention, unlike the break-up of the Kolisis.
Perhaps Paballo Patsa’s response after the announcements reflects the feeling of the nation.
“President Ramaphosa better call a family meeting to mediate between Siya & Rachel. This is a national crisis,” she posted on Instagram.
But life goes on, and on the eve of a tour to the Northern Hemisphere, how will this dramatic event affect his performance as Springbok player and captain?
Siya never made any secret of the way Rachel affected his life. It appears she had a stabilising influence on him, particularly where his social life was concerned.
The effect Rassie Erasmus has on all the players is often spoken about. The sorry way in which John Plumtree tries to motivate his lacklustre Springboks when they are away from the green and gold is very obvious.
The timing of the announcement of the divorce is perfect. Perhaps it was planned that way.
Perhaps it is a good thing that Siya will now spend a number of weeks in the loving embrace of his surrogate father.
For the sake of Rachel, Siya and the kids, we hope he can weather the storm that invariably follows a divorce.
We also hope so for the sake of Springbok rugby.
Pictured above: Siya Kolisi and Rachel.
Source: Siya Kolisi/X
