Siya Kolisi: EVERY Springbok Test stat and fact you NEED to know
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From humble beginnings in the townships of Port Elizabeth, to becoming a global icon – no-one represents the possibilities of sport better than Siya Kolisi.
His childhood presented many challenges, from food scarcity to the point where he would turn to sugar water as a form of nutrition, to growing up dealing with the loss of a parent.
But he saw possibilities.
Siya Kolisi made history
He was raised with a strong sense of – and value in – community, surrounded by the feeling of love, energy and optimism that make South Africa’s townships so special.
This feeling and value continues to today, driving him forward to build a better life not only for himself but the community that raised him.
In 2018, he made history as South Africa’s first-ever black Test captain, a monumental moment for a country with a deep and raw history of racial segregation.
Leading his team to victory in Yokohama in the World Cup in 2019, Siya Kolisi secured a win that stretched beyond the rugby pitch of Japan and touched the lives – and hearts – of all fellow South Africans watching from home.
His role as captain of hearts didn’t stop with this win.
Off the field, he is a champion of people via the Kolisi Foundation – created alongside his wife Rachel – established to alleviate extreme poverty, mentor underprivileged youth and promote equality.
Siya Kolisi would go on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time in France at the 2023 World Cup.
The bombshell news on Tuesday evening that he and Rachel would be divorcing after eight years of marriage came as a shock to the nation.
Why? What was the reason? Will we ever really know? Do we need to know … ?
Icon
On the field of play, Kolisi has been an icon for the Springboks and South Africa.
At the time of publishing, he has played 89 Tests and is expected to add another three to that list on the Springboks’ upcoming end-of-year tour.
Siya Kolisi has been on the winning side in 60 of his 89 Tests, losing 27 and drawing two, for a win percentage of 67.4%.
He has captained the Springbok on 59 occasions, the second most ever behind John Smit (83).
Below, a look at all the key stats in the career to date of Siyamthanda Kolisi.
