Kolisi to lead Boks in Test
Milestone likely to rekindle love of game in township
ZWIDE’s Siya Kolisi added another impressive chapter to his fairytale rags to riches rugby story when he was named Springbok captain for the Test series against England next month.
The former Emsengeni Primary pupil has made massive strides, since he was plucked out of obscurity when he was spotted playing at a schoolboy tournament in Mossel Bay.
While Kolisi will lead the Boks against England, Pieter Steph-du Toit has been entrusted with the captaincy for Saturday’s historic Test in Washington against Wales.
“It all started out for me at Emsengeni Primary School in Zwide where I got my love for rugby from my father Fezakele, who was a good player. I started playing at the age of about eight,” Kolisi said when he was first picked to play for the Springboks.
“I finished my primary schooling at Grey Junior. My big break came when I was seen playing at a rugby tournament in Mossel Bay by coach Andrew Hayidakis who offered me a bursary to go to Grey.
“I have a lot to thank Eric Songwiqi for. He coached me early on in my career. I later received intensive training from Hayidakis.
“When I got to Grey High School, Dean Carelse helped me a lot and taught me the basics of rugby. My dad Fezakele also had a big influence on my rugby career.”
Former Southern Kings chief executive and one-time African Bombers member, Anele Pamba has been a big supporter of Kolisi throughout his career.
“Siya did not have things easy when he was growing up in Zwide,” said Pamba.
“Later when Siya was a boarder at Grey High he often used to come and stay at my house. He also used to play for Bombers during the holidays.
“The thing that struck me about Siya was that he always called me sir and he still does to this day. He was ahead of his time and was playing first team rugby at the age of 16.
“It is wonderful that a young man from the streets of Zwide has made it to the top. This is a great day for township rugby and it will spark renewed interest in rugby among youth,” Pamba added.
Rassie Erasmus, the SA Rugby Director of Rugby, confirmed the two captaincy appointments ahead of a busy season.
Erasmus, who took over the coaching reins of the Springboks after his appointment in April, also confirmed the Springboks’ 26-man travelling squad for the Welsh encounter in Washington.
The squad members not involved in the Welsh match will stay behind in Johannesburg to continue with their preparations for international season.
Erasmus congratulated Kolisi and Du Toit on their respective appointments. Both men will captain the Springboks for the first time.
“It’s a huge honour to captain the Springboks and Siya and PieterSteph are two honest, hardworking men who enjoy the respect of their fellow players,” said Erasmus.
“I believe both of them will do a good job as captains. My philosophy the coming is that each player must take responsibility for his position and must therefore work extremely hard with that one goal in mind – to make the Springboks successful again,” added Erasmus.
Kolisi, is also the Stormers captain and has played in 28 Tests since making his debut at age 22 against Scotland in Nelspruit in 2013.
Du Toit made his debut as a 21year-old on November 9 2013 against Wales, in Cardiff. He is equally at home as lock and as loose-forward and has played in 32 Tests for the Springboks, 21 as lock, 10 times as flank and once as number eight.
All except two of the 43 players reported for Springbok duty on Sunday in Johannesburg.
The experienced duo of Frans Steyn (centre) and Bismarck du Plessis (hooker) will join the Springbok squad next Monday following the completion of their French club rugby commitments.