Siya Kolisi Biography
Siya Kolisi (Siyamthanda Kolisi) is a South African rugby union who plays rugby for the Stormers in Super Rugby and Western Province in the Currie Cup. He is also the captain of the South African rugby national team. He was appointed to lead the Springboks teams and became the first black man to captain the Springboks in an international test match.
Siya Kolisi Age
Siya is 28 years old as of 2019; he was born on June 16, 1991, in Lovu, Lautoka, Fiji, South Africa.
Siya Kolisi Height
Siya stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches tall.
Siya Kolisi Upbringing – Siya Kolisi Family
Kolisi was born to Phakama (mother) and Fezakele (father). His mother was 16 years old at the time and his father was in his final year of school. His mother died when Kolisi was 15 years old leaving his grandmother to raise him.
He was raised by his paternal grandmother and alleges that he would wake up not knowing if he would eat that day. He claimed that he would go to school because he would get a free meal but at the age of ten, he had to stop attending to take care of his sick grandmother who then died in his arms.
Siya Kolisi Father
Siya’s father is Fezakele Kolisi. On November 1, 2019, he was at the Yokohama Stadium to watch his son. He helped his team win becoming the first black African to lead the Boks in a World Cup final.
‘This is my father’s first trip overseas. I’m really happy that my dad, as well as my best friend, got the chance to come. It will be only the second time he’s watched me live after my first game for the Boks [against Scotland back in 2013]. That’s one of the great things about rugby, it gives you a chance to do things like this for your family. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity.’ Siya said.
Siya Kolisi Siblings – Siya Kolisi Adoption
Siya has two half-siblings Liyema and Liphelo. When their mother died they moved in with their father and after his death, they were taken in by social workers. Siya spent years searching for them until he found them and later adopted them.
Siya Kolisi Wife (Rachel Smith)
Siya married his wife Rachel Smith in 2016. She is a former professional event manager, marketing executive and homemaker.
Siya Kolisi Children
Siya and his wife Rachel have two children together, a son named Nicholas Siyamthanda born in 2015 and a daughter known as Keziah.
Siya Kolisi South Africa Rugby
Siya began playing rugby at the age of seven when he signed for his local club in the township, African Bombers. Five years later he was offered a scholarship to Grey Junior School in PE and latterly the high school. He progressed through the rugby ranks to Western Province and then the Stormers before making his international debut against Scotland in 2013.
In 2017 he was named vice-captain for the Springboks by Allister Coetzee and was one of his country’s standout performers. On May 28, 2018 he was named the captain, becoming the team’s first black captain in its 126-year history.
