What comes to your mind at the mention of the name Siya Kolisi if not the national rugby team and his expertise in the sport? The star has gained popularity in rugby and stands out to be among the best-skilled players in the country. He has gone miles ahead to become the first black captain of the national team. That speaks volumes about how skilled he is
Siya Kolisi had the most humbling background that anyone could ever think of. That could be used to justify his personality as he did not have the best childhood. He, however, took charge of his destiny when he keen his efforts to the sport. His hard work has paid him off by transforming his life for a better course. Rugby is his first love as he has proven that through the excellent scores that he has been posting ever since he started playing the game.
Siya Kolisi Early Life
When he was fifteen years old, Siya’s mother passed on. As a result, he had to grow up under the care of his great grandmother who lived in Zwide, in Port Elizabeth. Growing up under the care of his great grandmother was not easy. He, however, had to continue because he did not have any other options.
Even though his father was away for the better part of his childhood, the one thing that he does not regret inheriting from Fezakele Kolisi is the skill for the game as it is the one thing that completely turned his life for the better.
Siya Kolisi Education
During his twelfth year, he posted the results of a tournament that was held in Mossel Bay. As a result, he ended up earning himself a scholarship to Grey Junior which later saw him land another rugby scholarship to enroll at Grey High School. While in High School, Siya joined the rugby team, and luckily, he became one of the regular first fourteen players. Between 2007 and 2009, he became part of the Eastern Province Kings. He, later on, relocated to the western province.
Siya Kolisi Career
As a learner at Grey, Siya impressed with his rugby snow boot, first earning a spot in the under-13 rugby team, and eventually on the school’s first team rugby. By 2007 he had his provincial colors as part of the Eastern Province Kings, playing in the popular Craven Week rugby tournament. After playing for his home province, Siya made the move to the Western Province, where he made his debut against the Golden Lions.
Despite several injuries, Siya’s rugby star was on the rise and he made his appearance at the Currie Cup, scoring four tries. In 2012, Siya made the Stormers team, but sidelined due to injury, he wasn’t able to play in their match as they won the Currie Cup tournament in 2012. Not one to give up, Siya returned to the Stormers fully fit and quickly gained world-recognition as a loose forward.
He earned a spot on the Springboks squad for the 2013 Rugby Championship and made his Springboks debut against Scotland, in a match where he was a substitute and named Man of the Match. Though his Springboks career started out slowly always being named on the bench, by 2015 Siya had made such an influence that he booked his seat to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, playing in two matches against Japan and Samoa.
After the World Cup, it was back to provincial rugby, and by 2017 Siya was named the captain for the Stormers and a regular in the Super Rugby tournament. In 2018, Siya made history when he was named the first Black captain of the Springboks. And his first match as captain was to lead the Springboks at Ellis Park, the same venue where the Springboks won the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
In 2019, Siya once again made history, when he lifted the Webb Ellis trophy, as he led the Springboks to victory in Japan, winning an impressive third World Cup title. And his family were there to support him. And with this great win, comes even more world recognition and invitations to watch his favorite football team Liverpool in action.
With his impressive career, comes all the honors. In late 2019 Siya was nominated for the BBC Sports Star of the Year Award, alongside Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge, American Olympic gold winner Simone Biles and America’s legendary golf player Tiger Woods.
Siya Kolisi Wife
The name of Siya’s wife is Rachel Smith. The two got married after dating for a couple of years. Rachel has shown nothing but love and support for her man despite the numerous times that Racheal Kolisi age has been the topic of discussion because she is one year older than her husband.
Their journey did not start so well as Rachel explains that she was a bit turned off by Siya the first time they met. In an interview, she states “Siya and I meet at a dinner with mutual friends in Stellenbosch. I didn’t think he was anything special that night, actually thought he was quite rude because he didn’t greet us when we arrived. We became very good friends a few months later, and during that time I realized I needed him in my life, somewhere – as a friend, partner, whatever – just somewhere he needed to be there”
Siya Kolisi Kids
After three years of being married, the two are so proud of how big their family is. What started as a pair is currently a family of six! Their first baby, Nicholas Siyamthanda, is about four years old. They recently got her second baby whom they named Keziah. To add to it, Siya opted to file for custody for his late mother’s children, Liyema and Liphelo. The mixed family is closely woven by love and Rachel tries her level best to ensure that everyone is comfortable.
Taking care of four kids is not as simple as it sounds for Rachel. This is so because of the many times that her husband has to be away to focus on his career. In one of the interviews, she opened up and said, It’s very tough raising a family with an athlete, Rachel admits
They travel so much, they are hardly around. So sometimes having to be mom and dad is hard. He’s also tired when he’s home because he spends most of his day training and his body gets sore”. She, however, understands his situation and does her best to support him. She is also grateful that her husband frees some time for her and their family despite his busy schedule. She also praises him for always being ready to keep the romance between them at its peak.
Siya Kolisi Awards
Just a few days after lifting the World Cup trophy, Siya won the People’s Choice Sports Star of the Year Award at the SA Sport Awards, and he along with the Springboks have also been nominated for Team of the Year Award at the 2020 Laureus Awards.
Other awards that came earlier in Siya’s career was the 2017 Players’ Player of the Year and the Forward of the Year Award at the BrightRock Players Choice Awards and in July 2019, he was nominated for the Laureus Sports Awards sporting moment of the month, for captaining the Springboks.
Siya Kolisi Car
Being the accomplished sportsperson that he is, Siya drives some of the most expensive rides, and one of them os the Range Rover Evoque
Siya Kolisi Salary
Siya Kolisi salary According to a report that was released by The South African, on average, a rugby player earns R37,500. This is not the exact figure that Siya Kolisi earns even though it could be the minimum figure of his monthly income.
