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Siya Kolisi

16 June 1991 – present

Siya Kolisi is a South African rugby union flanker who became the first Black player to captain the South Africa national team, the Springboks, in a Test match. Raised in the township of Zwide near Port Elizabeth, he took up rugby at school and moved through Western Province and the Stormers before his international debut in 2013. He captained South Africa to victory at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups.

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Life events

Born in Zwide, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
16 June 1991

He was raised largely by his grandmother in the township of Zwide in the Eastern Cape.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Awarded a rugby scholarship to Grey High School
c. 2007

After being spotted at an under-16 tournament, he moved to the school in Port Elizabeth on a scholarship.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Joined the Western Province and Stormers set-up in Cape Town
2010

He moved to Cape Town to join the union's academy and senior squads.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Made his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers
2011

He began a long association with the Cape Town franchise.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Made his Test debut for South Africa
15 June 2013

He came on as a replacement against Scotland in Nelspruit.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Married Rachel Smith
2016

The couple had two children together and announced their separation in 2024.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relationship ✓
Named captain of the Springboks
May 2018

He became the first Black player to captain South Africa in a Test match, leading the side against England in June 2018.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Captained South Africa to the 2019 Rugby World Cup title
2 November 2019

South Africa beat England in the final in Yokohama, Japan.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Established the Kolisi Foundation
2020

He and Rachel Kolisi set up the foundation to address inequality in South Africa, beginning with food relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Captained South Africa to the 2023 Rugby World Cup title
28 October 2023

South Africa beat New Zealand in the final at the Stade de France, retaining the trophy.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓