Siya Kolisi named ‘most influential person in rugby’
Siya Kolisi has been named the most influential person in rugby in 2020, according to Rugby World Magazine.
The respected publication had the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus sixth on its list of 50 movers and shakers in the sport.
Kolisi, who captained the Springboks to World Cup glory in Japan last year, has been feted in the months following the team’s stunning success.
Kolisi has become the face of the team that has shown steady progress over the past two years culminating in him lifting of the Webb Ellis Cup in Yokohama in November last year.
The publication also noted Kolisi‚ who is SA’s first black rugby captain‚ “has been working tirelessly with his foundation to help those affected by the Covid19 pandemic”.
The publication said: “Kolisi has recognised the significance of that sporting moment and has since proved an inspiration off the field as well as on it.
“He is a role-model in all senses — and adds the title of the most influential person in rugby to a growing list of accolades.”
The magazine got some heavy hitters to arrive at their final list.
“Kolisi is definitely the most influential man in rugby at the moment. He’s also probably the most visionary and the most courageous‚” Rugby World columnist Stephen Jones writes in the August 2020 edition.
“Kolisi appreciates the power of rugby‚ and has the standing and authority and intelligence to be a statesman as well‚ to know exactly what he is saying and why it means everything.
“You also get the impression for this great man that he is saying exactly what he believes‚ with no gilding of his words for anyone’s consumption.”
The process of naming the most influential person in the sport proved exhaustive with more than 120 people canvassed on the topic. —
Rugby World Magazine’s top 10 most influential people in rugby are:
1 Siya Kolisi, 2 Bernard Laporte, 3 Maro Itoje, 4 Warren Gatland, 5 Nick Clarry, 6 Rassie Erasmus, 7 Claude Atcher, 8 Eddie Jones, 9 Dr Eanna Falvey, 10 Katie Sadleir.