The French Top 14 season recently started, and Siya Kolisi continues to make headlines as he transitions into the new chapter of his career with the Racing 92 team. His debut game left fans eager to see more of the rugby star as Kolisi helped his team achieve a resounding 32-10 win. Kolisi’s recent success is also a quick follow-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he was captain of the South African national rugby union team and led them to victory.
With all eyes on Kolisi, as the French rugby season continues, many are eager to know what else to expect from the superstar for the rest of the year.
Background and notable achievements
Siyamthanda Kolisi was born on June 16, 1991, in Zwide, iBhayi, South Africa. According to his accounts in “Rise: The Brand New Autobiography,” Kolisi faced many challenges due to the lingering effects of apartheid and growing up in relative poverty. He started playing rugby at age 12 and consistently impressed scouts, which led him to prestigious scholarships that supported his early career.
Kolisi began playing professionally for The Stormers in 2012 and became a Springbok in 2013. By 2018, he had become the first black captain of the Springboks and helped lead the South African national team to Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023.
Considering his career accomplishments, it’s no surprise that Kolisi was also recognized as Icon of the Year during the 2019 GQ Men of the Year Awards in South Africa. However, he is also known for his prominent achievements outside the sport. One of his notable ventures outside of rugby is his partnership with Oakley which was recently renewed in 2023.
Kolisi is often seen wearing Oakley Sunglasses, a brand that is recognized for its bold innovations and leading product designs. Oakley is globally renowned for offering a wide range of sports performance sunglasses that are made with lightweight but durable frames and fitted with the latest technology, like Prizm and O-Matter, to support an optimized experience. In line with this, Kolisi’s partnership with Oakley allows him to broaden his platform and cement his advocacy. Oakley Global Marketing Director Ben Goss expressed that Kolisi’s pioneering spirit and passion for excellence made him a great fit for the brand, as he exemplifies what they stand for.
The rugby star also made waves by partnering with Adidas to create a pair of rugby boots. The RS15 features lightweight materials and speed-focused performance innovations, with a design that pays homage to Kolisi’s legacy and personal milestones. The boots’ bold colors represent the player’s childhood, early career, and his mother. Alongside this, a map of his township and his handwriting are also featured on each pair.
What we can anticipate in 2024
In an interview with The South African, Kolisi expressed that retirement is “the furthest thing from his mind at the moment” and reiterated his desire to lead the South African national rugby team to a third Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027. He also said that he is willing to return for the July Test window this year and play for the South African team, especially since the French 14 season is expected to wrap up domestically by June.
Beyond sports, Siya Kolisi also has interesting projects lined up. He was named South Africa’s tourism ambassador in August 2023 for a year-long collaboration with South African Tourism, and it can be expected that he will be representing the country in more capacities for the rest of 2024. Furthermore, he also continues to remain vocal with his advocacies concerning local issues in the country and representation within sports through the Kolisi Foundation. The foundation was established in 2019 with the aim of “changing the story of inequality in South Africa” by addressing food insecurity, creating safe spaces through sport and education, and tackling gender-based violence.
With this, there is no doubt that Kolisi will continue working to address pressing social issues and give back to his community while continuing to shine as a global rugby superstar.
Featured image: @siyakolisi/Instagram
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