Kolisi’s dad makes epic journey to see final
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi’s father didn’t have a passport 26 hours before his son lifted the Rugby World Cup in Yokohama on Saturday night.
But South Africa’s team management arranged for the 28-yearold’s father, Fezakel, to be there after organising a rapid operation which ensured he made the final the Springboks won 32-12 over England.
Kolisi, the first black player appointed Springboks captain, led his country to their third World Cup title, completing a fairytale rise which took him from a poverty-stricken township in Zwide near Port Elizabeth to becoming a sporting icon.
At 16, he watched the 2007 final the Springboks won 15-6 over England in a township pub because his family could not afford a television at their home. His father 12 years later, having never flown on a plane before, was rushed to Japan to witness Kolisi become South Africa’s third World Cup-winning skipper.
Fezakel didn’t have a passport and had never left home before last weekend’s decider in
Yokohama but South Africa’s team management helped fast track all the necessary documents in time.
Australian rugby commentator Sean Maloney, who was calling the final for World Rugby, revealed the lengths management went to in making sure Fezakel made the game.
‘‘I just spoke to the SA team management,’’ Maloney said on commentary. ‘‘They had a 26-hour timeline for Kolisi’s dad to fly from a township to Yokohama, Japan, he didn’t have a passport and had never flown. They got it all organised and he is here, on hand, to see his son lift the biggest prize at all.’’
Kolisi’s wife Rachel and their two children, Nicholas and Keziah, were also there with the Springboks squad for their lap of honour after South Africa matched New Zealand’s record of global rugby titles.
The family all wore Springboks jerseys with Kolisi’s name and No 6 on the back. He spoke of his story after South Africa edged Wales 19-16 in the second semifinal.
‘‘In 2007, I was a kid watching the World Cup final in a tavern because I didn’t have a TV at home. I know what it did for us back then. I have never seen people come together over sport [like that].’’