Who is Siya Kolisi? | 10 things to know about the Springbok skipper

Siya Kolisi led his Springboks to a memorable win over the All Blacks in their final 2021 Rugby Championship Test in Gold Coast.

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Kolisi, who skippered the Springboks to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, will have a few weeks off before the squad heads to the United Kingdom for three Tests on their end of year tour, starting on 6 November against Wales.

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Kolisi’s autobiography ‘Rise’ hit the shelves this week and by all accounts is a must-read book.

How well do you know Siyamthanda Kolisi?

Below, 10 facts and stats to impress your mates.

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1. He was born on 16 June 1991 on what is today known as Youth Day in South Africa

2. Siya Kolisi’s mother died when he was 15.

3. He was educated at Grey High in Port Elizabeth and played in the Under-16 Grant Khomo and Under-18 Craven Week and was also part of the EP Kings’ youth set-up.

4. Siya Kolisi made his Springbok debut (Springbok #851) on 15 June 2013 against Scotland at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit as a fifth-minute replacement for Arno Botha.

5. He became the first ever black player to the lead the Springboks in their 126-year history in a Test against England at Ellis Park on 9 June 2018.

6. Siya Kolisi married Rachel Smith in 2016 and the couple have two children together: son Nicholas and daughter Keziah.

7. The 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama was Kolisi’s 50th Test.

8. Siya Kolisi has scored six tries in those 50 Tests, four against Argentina and one apiece against France and Namibia.

9. He played 116 Super Rugby matches for the Stormers between 2012-2020.

10. Siya Kolisi has over 610 000 Instagram followers and nearly 50 000 on Twitter

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