A few weeks before the Springboks encamped for their upcoming assignments against the Barbarians and England, a clip of Siya Kolisi running hard down a promenade in Cape Town surfaced on social media, courtesy of a passerby who was suitably impressed with the Springbok captain’s “Rocky”-like training regime.
Kolisi turned 35 on June 16, and the extra running is part of his steadfast refusal to let the old man in as he sets his sights on one last World Cup hurrah in Australia next year. He needs no reminding that he will be 36 when the Boks open their defence of the Webb Ellis Cup on October 3, 2027, with a high-stakes clash against Italy in Adelaide.
A man who knows Kolisi better than most is his childhood friend from Zwide, Tamsanqa Ncwana, who happens to be the head of recruitment at marketing giants Roc Nation Sports International. In South Africa, Roc Nation represent Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphelele Fassi, Jordan Hendrikse, and emerging youngsters Haashim Pead, Oliver Reid, Jonathan Roche, and Jaco Williams.
“Siya put the immense work in before the Bok camp started,” says Ncwana, also known affectionately as Mr T. “He knows he is getting older, and that to keep up he has to put in extra training. He desperately wants to be in Australia in 2027.
“What I like about him is that he is not the jealous type — he actively motivates the youngsters. He tells them, ‘If you want my position, you are going to have to fight for it; I am not giving it away.’”
Michael Yormark, the American president of Roc Nation, adds: “Throughout his career, Siya has never taken anything for granted. He tells us about the hard work it takes to stay on top. When you have the incredible young talent that South Africa has, it motivates you in that if you don’t work hard, if you are not in great condition and making sacrifices, you are going to be replaced.
“And when you are surrounded by youth, it keeps you young,” Yormark continues. “They push you. This is why I admire Rassie Erasmus and his master plan of developing young talent, and having that talent come through to push the older players — it keeps everyone motivated and inspired. It is a great squad culture. Our older guys talk about it all the time.”
Alongside Kolisi at Ellis Park in the Nations Championship match against England was Kolbe, who will turn 33 just before the World Cup gets underway. Unless injury misfortune strikes, the electric utility back is a sure bet to be in Australia because he remains prepared to fight tooth and nail for his position.
“Before the team to play England was selected, Cheslin told me he did not know if he was going to be in the starting line-up,” Yormark revealed. “Cheslin said, ‘I don’t know if I will be picked.’ This speaks volumes to his humility, but also to the cut-throat culture that Rassie has created. There are no guarantees, and you have to work for your position, no matter who you are.”
Kolbe won his milestone 50th cap in the England encounter, a remarkable achievement for a player who was historically never tipped for the top tier because of deep-seated prejudice against his diminutive size.
“Cheslin is the modern-day underdog story,” Yormark reflected. “He was the guy who nobody expected to climb to the top of the mountain. If you think about what he has accomplished, and where he has come from, if you think about 50 caps for the green and gold, it is entirely against the odds. What an accomplishment, and it is testament to his determination, his hard work, and his personal sacrifices.
“Cheslin never listened to outside chatter like ‘You are not going to make it, you are not big enough, you will never be a Springbok.’ He used that as motivation and inspiration to do whatever it took to get to this point.”
Yormark added that how Kolbe conducts himself away from the pitch makes him a model sportsman.
“He is one of the best ambassadors. He is so kind, so gentle; he is an incredible family man. Family is at the absolute core of his life and one of the principal reasons why he decided to come back from Japan to play for the Stormers.
“This is a perfect time for a change for Cheslin because it addresses a key question: ‘How does an athlete prepare for life after rugby or sport?’ This is the right time for Cheslin because he is still in the absolute prime of his career.
“He has signed a multi-year deal with the Stormers, but while he is back in Cape Town he can put the necessary building blocks in place for his post-rugby career. Yes, it is great for his rugby to be back, and being with his family is a true blessing, but he can also start preparing for life after sport, which is critically important.”
