At the rugby-World Cup defending champions South Africa have to face England in the semi-finals. Siya Kolisi – the team’s black captain – wants to lead the way.
Siya Kolisi has already drawn up his plan for the future. “When I stop playing, I want to make the world a better place”said the South African powerhouse recently. For many people this is an empty phrase – that “Springbok” but it is definitely trustworthy.
Kolisi embodies the sport to perfection
Kolisi shines on the rugby field. With his style of play, but above all with his respectful behavior, he embodies the sport to perfection. A combination that helped him become captain of the South Africans in 2018. A historic milestone for the nation, as no Black player had ever been given this honor.
During apartheid, white people played rugby in South Africa, and the “Springboks” were a symbol of racial separation. After the first democratic elections in 1994, a team with black and white players took part in a World Cup for the first time the following year. South Africa secured the title in their own country, and the pictures of President Nelson Mandela in the green jersey of the “Springboks” went around the world.
Role model and leader
With this new sense of togetherness, the problems in the country did not disappear at the push of a button. But Kolisi, who made it from one of the poorest townships of the country made it to the big stage, now embodies the “new” team – and is a role model for many young South Africans precisely because he lives the spirit of Mandela. “He’s someone everyone wants to have on their side”said former national player Joel Stransky. Kolisi is an icon, “because of the way he leads, the way he plays and the way he lives his life.”
And that’s what the captain is doing these days at the World Cup. After South Africa’s stunning 29-28 quarter-final win over France, the 32-year-old’s first words were to the dejected hosts. “I just want to congratulate them on what they have achieved”he said in the post-game interview. The French fans could “Be proud of this team.”
Favorite against England
The fact that Kolisi and his team are on the way to their second World Cup title in a row is almost overlooked. On Saturday (October 21st, 2023) waiting in the Parisian Stadium de France England in the semi-finals. It is the new edition of the 2019 final. Whether victory or defeat – even then he wants to set an example: “Every day I have to remind myself that I have to make an effort because others are looking at me too – and hopefully I can be that little bit of hope for them.”he said: “We play for our entire country, it’s not just about us on the field. It’s about the people at home – and that’s what drives us.”
England are the only semi-finalists still undefeated in the tournament. Nevertheless, they are “Red Roses” Not even remotely the favorite against the “Sprinboks”. South Africa shone with incredible physicality in the quarter-finals against France and somewhat surprisingly knocked the hosts out of the tournament. The English also fear the toughness of the three-time world champion. “Fear is not the right word, but there is a great awareness of what awaits us”said striker Ollie Chessum. And by that he certainly means Siya Kolisi.