TOULON – Siya Kolisi will captain South Africa for the 50th time in their must-win Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, something that would have seemed fanciful in his early years when just having food on the table was a daily challenge.
The flanker has become an iconic figure in the game after helping his side to the 2019 title in Japan, and is arguably South Africa’s most loved sportsperson at home. Only John Smit has more Tests as Springbok captain with 83.
But Kolisi never dreamt of playing for South Africa when he was growing up in poverty-stricken Zwide, let alone become a symbol of a united team.
“I played rugby because I enjoyed it, it kept me out of trouble and most of my friends played. I definitely didn’t think I would be sitting here now,” he said on Friday.
His captaincy journey started with the Stormers in 2017, when he was made skipper by former Springbok centre Robbie Fleck, and Kolisi conceded it took time to adapt to his new responsibilities.
“I’ve always been the joker in the team, the naughty one. But coach Fleckie came to my wedding and heard me speak. After that he said, ‘I think you should lead the team’,” Kolisi said.
“He gave me the captaincy but it took a while. I would always be the last one at the party, the drunkest one in the room, and now I must be something different.”
Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus also saw leadership in Kolisi, and the symbolism of making him South Africa’s first black captain a year later in 2018.
“Coach Rassie has known me since I was 17, (current coach) Jacques (Nienaber) since I was 18. They know what kind of person I am, and they built things around me,” the 32-year-old added.
“In my mind, being captain of the Springboks is a big thing already, and I was fortunate to have the players we have in the group; Duane (Vermeulen), Eben (Etzebeth), Pieter-Steph (du Toit) and Handre Pollard. I honestly wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t have the guys that we have.”
Kolisi still carries that sense of playing for more than the 33 members of the World Cup squad.
“You have to have courage to do it,” he said. “We know it’s not just us on the field, it’s the people back home, too. It’s tough but you have to be brave.”
On Sunday, besides Kolisi, the Springboks will have a familiar leader back when they take to the pitch, with Pollard making his World Cup return as playmaker after a 13-month absence.
After their 13-8 loss to Ireland, South Africa stand second in Pool B and they will be seeking a bonus-point victory over the Tongans that would see them qualify as the group runners-up.
Pollard, back from injury and called up to the World Cup squad just last week, booted 22 points as the Springboks beat England 32-12 in the final of the World Cup four years ago.
He is one of 12 changes to the starting team who went down to Ireland. REUTERS, AFP
