Kolisi humbled by Grey High sports field renaming honour
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has his own piece of history at Grey High School after its famous Philip Field was renamed in his honour on Saturday.
The flanker, who matriculated from the school in 2009, was greeted by rapturous applause as he made his way onto the newly named Kolisi Field to unveil the plaque that carries his name.
The renaming formed part of the school’s reunion weekend celebrations.
The renaming comes 85 years after the Philip family’s initial investment.
The 30-year-old, despite making the time to attend the ceremony, could not watch his alma mater’s first team beat rivals Queen’s College 28-13 as he needed to catch a flight to Durban to be with the Cell C Sharks.
“I am so humbled about what’s happening today and it is something I never would have dreamt of,” Kolisi said.
He spoke fondly of his memories of arriving at the school for the first time and what being a pupil there had been like.
“Coming to Grey alone was a big thing for me. I remember driving through the gate.
“My mother was talking to me, telling me I needed to do well and all that stuff, but I kept staring at the building.
“Coming from the township, we played on fields where the grass was brown and there were thorns on the field, so when I saw the grass here, it was green and I thought this was a carpet and they could tackle me all day long, I would take it,” he said.
Kolisi attributed his spirit of ubuntu and hard-working nature to his upbringing in the township.
“People don’t know how amazing the township is and how hardworking the people are. That is where I learnt to work hard.
“People in the community as well, where I learnt ubuntu, and that is why I started a foundation with my wife [Rachel] because without the people of the community I don’t think I would have made it through life.
“As much as we struggle, we are hard-working people who need an opportunity,” Kolisi, who is from Zwide, said.
He said he was grateful for the opportunity to attend the school.
“I took the opportunity with both hands because it wasn’t just about me, it was about my community too and today I am able to touch so many lives through that.
“I am grateful that the school accepted [me as] a young boy with the smallest of dreams and welcomed me.
“When I was singing the school anthem, I cannot explain that feeling to anybody, every time I come here.
“I don’t take this lightly.
“I know it is not a small decision. It is a huge honour.
“I love and I will always support the school,” he said.
‘Coming from the township, we played on fields where the grass was brown and there were thorns on the field, so when I saw the grass here, it was green and I thought this was a carpet and they could tackle me all day long, I would take it’