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Explore the personal life and career of Liverpool-supporting Siya Kolisi, the South African rugby union player who broke a century-long Springbok tradition, digging into his rise to the top.
Who is Siya Kolisi?
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Siya Kolisi (Full name: Siyamthanda "Siya" Kolisi) is a South African professional rugby union player who made history as the first black captain of the Springboks — South Africa’s national team.
Kolisi plays as a flanker, known for his powerful runs and strong tackling. He has played for prominent teams like the Stormers in South Africa and Racing 92 in France, currently representing the Sharks.
His leadership qualities shone brightly when he captained the Springboks to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup against England, a momentous occasion for South Africa.
He further cemented his legacy by leading the team to another World Cup triumph in 2023, this time against New Zealand.
The Springboks captain is a passionate Liverpool fan inspired by their resilience and "Never Give Up" attitude.
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His love for the club began with admiration for Steven Gerrard's leadership. A chance meeting with Jurgen Klopp in Cape Town led to an Anfield visit in November 2019, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Kolisi finds motivation in Liverpool's fighting spirit, particularly their comeback against Barcelona in May 2019, which resonates with his team's World Cup victory.
Outside the rugby field, Kolisi is actively involved in charitable work through the Kolisi Foundation, which he co-founded with his ex-wife — Rachel Kolisi — in 2020.
The foundation focuses on addressing social inequalities in South Africa.
Siya Kolisi Age
As of November 2024, Siya Kolisi is 33 years old, having been born on June 16, 1991.
Siya Kolisi Height
Siya Kolisi is 6 feet 1 inch tall. In metres, the South African is 1.86m tall.
Where was Siya Kolisi born?
Siya Kolisi was born in Zwide, a township near Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Zwide is located in the Eastern Cape province and is known for its vibrant community and rich history.
When did Siya Kolisi start playing Rugby?
Siya Kolisi first started playing rugby at the very young age of 7.
He joined a local club called African Bombers in the township where he grew up. This early start ignited his passion for the sport and set him on the path to becoming a rugby legend.
His talent was evident even then, and by the age of 12, he earned a scholarship to Grey Junior School in Port Elizabeth, which further nurtured his skills and opened up new opportunities for him in the sport.
When did Siya Kolisi become captain?
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Siya Kolisi became Springboks Captain on May 28, 2018. This was the historic moment when he was named the first black captain of the South Africa national rugby team in 126 years.
It marked a turning point in South African rugby, symbolising inclusivity and a new era for the sport.
He continued to captain the Springboks through their triumphant 2019 Rugby World Cup win and beyond, further solidifying his place as a legendary leader.
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Kolisi also captained the Springboks to victory in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, making him one of the few captains to ever lead their team to consecutive World Cup titles.
He was previously appointed captain of the Stormers on February 20, 2017, a South African Super Rugby team. This was a significant step, recognising his leadership qualities before his Springboks achievement.
Which team is Siya Kolisi playing for?
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Siya Kolisi currently plays for the Sharks, a South African professional rugby union team based in Durban.
He rejoined the Sharks in September 2024 after a spell in France, marking a return to the team he had previously played for from 2021 to 2023.
Why did Siya Kolisi leave France?
Having joined Racing 92 in January 2023, Siya Kolisi left the Top 14 side to return home to South Africa in September 2024.
Although he had a contract with the French club until 2026, they agreed to terminate it early after just one season, with Kolisi stating that he and his family missed South Africa and it was "time to come home.”
He expressed gratitude to Racing 92 for allowing him to return and for the opportunity to play abroad, calling his teammates "brothers for life.”
Essentially, homesickness and a desire to be closer to family were the primary reasons for his departure from France.
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Siya Kolisi Salary
Based on various reports and estimates, Siya Kolisi's current salary with the Sharks is believed to be in the range of $875,000 to $1,060,000 (R15,343,957 to R18,587,690) per year.
When he played for Racing 92 in France, his annual salary was reportedly around €1 million (R19 million).
Siya Kolisi Olympics
While Siya Kolisi is a rugby union legend, he has not competed in the Olympics.
However, there was a previous interesting Olympic connection in his family.
Tatjana Schoenmaker, the sister-in-law of Kolisi's ex-wife Rachel, won gold in the 200m breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Gold in the 100m breaststroke, and silver in the 200m breaststroke at the Paris Games.
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Who has Siya Kolisi played for?
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Youth career
Eastern Province Kings (2007–2009)
Western Province (2010–2012)
Senior career
Western Province (2011-2021)
Stormers (2012–2020)
Sharks (2021–2023)
Racing 92 (2023–2024)
Sharks (2024-present)
Siya Kolisi Achievements
International
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Rugby World Cup: Winner (2019, 2023), Bronze (2015)
Rugby Championship: 2019
British and Irish Lions Series Tour: 2021
Qatar Airways Cup: 2023
Nelson Mandela Plate: 2024
Freedom Cup: 2024
Rugby Championship: 2024
Individual
Honorary Doctorate from Nelson Mandela University (2018)
Time100 Most Influential People (2024)
Siya Kolisi Wife
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Siya Kolisi was married to Rachel Kolisi (nee Smith). However, they recently announced their separation in October 2024. She and Siya have two children together, Nicholas (born in 2015) and Keziah (2017).
Rachel was instrumental in setting up the Kolisi Foundation with Siya in 2020, focusing on tackling social inequalities in South Africa.
While the couple were seen as a symbol of unity and strength, they announced their separation in October 2024, stating that the decision was mutual and amicable.
They intend to co-parent their children and continue working together on the Kolisi Foundation.
Siya Kolisi Parents
Siya Kolisi’s mother, Phakama, passed away when he was 15. His father, Fezakele, was involved in his life, though Siya was primarily raised by his grandmother.
Siya Kolisi Book
Siya Kolisi has written an autobiography titled "Rise: The Brand New Autobiography”, published in 2021.
In this book, Kolisi shares his incredible life story, from his challenging childhood in a South African township to his historic rise as the first black captain of the Springboks.
He shares insights into his captaincy, the challenges he faced and the historic World Cup victory in 2019.
Kolisi also opens up about his family, his marriage to Rachel (now separated) and the importance of his Christian faith.
Furthermore, he discusses his commitment to social change and the work of the Kolisi Foundation in addressing inequality in South Africa.
Siya Kolisi Documentary
Siya Kolisi's documentary, Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, premiered in February 2023.
It explores his upbringing in Zwide township, facing poverty and adversity. The documentary also traces his path from playing barefoot as a child to becoming Springboks captain and highlights his role in uniting a nation and inspiring people around the world.
It originally premiered on DStv in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. You can also find it on streaming platforms like Showmax.
Siya Kolisi Foundation
The Siya Kolisi Foundation, founded by Siya and Rachel Kolisi, is dedicated to addressing inequality in South Africa.
Their mission is to create thriving communities through initiatives focused on gender-based violence, food security, and education and sport.
They aim to achieve systemic change by uniting organisations, mobilising resources, and strengthening infrastructure and learning.
The foundation's core values include authenticity, integrity, collaboration, learning through action for excellence.
Siya Kolisi Net Worth
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According to Ruck, Siya Kolisi, whose net worth is estimated to be over $13 million (£10m/R228m), will divide his wealth equally with Rachel following their separation.
Rachel will also retain a significant role in the Kolisi Foundation, their co-founded charitable organisation.
Regardless, as a top-tier rugby player and captain of the Springboks, Kolisi earns a significant salary from his club team (the Sharks) and his national team contracts.
He has endorsement deals with several major brands, including Adidas, Land Rover, and MTN. These deals can be quite lucrative for high-profile athletes like Kolisi.
Kolisi has also invested in various business ventures, including a coffee brand and a clothing line. These ventures contribute to his overall wealth and provide income beyond his rugby career.
Siya Kolisi Social Media
Siya Kolisi is quite active on social media, and it is a great way to keep up with his life and career.
He is more active on Instagram(@siyakolisi) than on X, formerly Twitter(@SiyaKolisi).
As of November 2024, the two-time World Cup-winning captain has 1.3 million followers on Instagram and 75,800 on X.
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