Siya Kolisi (born 16 June 1991 in Port Elizabeth) is a South professional rugby union player. He plays for the South African National team and is the team captain.
He also plays for Stormers in Super Rugby and Western Province in the Currie Cup.
Though he plays the position of a flanker, Siya became the captain of the Springboks after he was appointed to the position in 2018.
This earned him the title and record as the first black man to hold serve as the captain of the team.
He did not disappoint as he leads his team, the SA rugby team, to victory in 2019 at the Rugby World Cup. In their final match, they faced and defeated England.
He appeared on the list of 100 Most Influential Africans by African Magazine in December of the same year.
Profile
| Name | Siyamthanda Kolisi |
| Born | 16 June 1991 (age 30 years) Port Elizabeth |
| Nationality | South African |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthday | June 16 |
| Parents | Fezakele (father), Phakama (mother) |
| Siblings | Liyema, Liphelo |
| Wife | Rachel Kolisi |
| Children | Nicholas Siyamthanda (son), Keziah (daughter) |
| Education | Grey High School |
| Team | Stormers |
Background
He was born into the family of Fezakele, his father, and Phakama, his mother. His mother had him at the age of seventeen (17) at the time his father was in his final year in school.
Unfortunately, his mother died when he was fifteen (15) years old. After the demise of his mother, Siya went to live with Nolulamile, his grandmother, who is also late.
He was raised in Zwide township outside Port Elizabeth. When he was twelve (12), he was offered a scholarship at Grey Junior in Port Elizabeth.
The scholarship followed after scouts found him impressive at a youth tournament in Mossel Bay.
He became a regular member of the First XV rugby team and was also among the Eastern Province Kings youth set-up (2007-2009).
Kolisi played in the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week and the Under-18 Craven Week before which he joined Western Province.
For two (2) consecutive years, Kolisi represented the SA National under 18 rugby union team.
Wife
In 2016, Siya got married to Rachel Kolisi. The union is blessed with two (2) children; Nicholas Siyamthanda (son) and Keziah (daughter).
His half-siblings; Liyema and Liphelo, who are the children his late mother had have been living with him.
Before they joined his household, they stayed five (5) years in orphanages and foster care in Port Elizabeth. His wife is older than he is by a year, she hails from Grahamstown.
Career
In 2011, Siya made his senior first appearance for Western Province against the Golden Lions during the Vodacom Cup.
He appeared thirteen (13) times and scored four (4) tried in the campaign.
He graduated to the Stormers squad in 2012 and appeared sixteen (16) times during the season and 1 try.
In the 2012 Currie Cup, a thumb injury allowed him only an appearance. He watched from the sidelines as the Province took home their 33rd Currie Cup title.
In the year that followed, he appeared thirteen (13) times and recorded two (2) tries earning him his debut international recognition.
On 20 February, 2017, Kolisi became the captain of the Stormers. The following year, on in May 2018, he became the captain of the Springboks.
He also was a board member of MyPlayers Rugby and a member of South Africa under 20 sides that competed both in the 2010 and 2011 ‘IRB Junior World Championships’.
On 15 June 2013, he appeared first in the National team as Springbok 851 in a match against Scotland at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
In 2015, he appeared in two (2) matches in the Rugby World Cup, played for South Africa in a match against Japan and Samoa.
At the 2019 Rugby World Cup which was held at Yokohama, Japan, Siya captained the SA team defeating England in the final.
