Siya Kolisi
From humble beginnings in the townships of Port Elizabeth, to becoming a global icon – no-one represents the possibilities of sport better than Siya Kolisi.
His childhood presented many challenges, from food scarcity to the point where he would turn to sugar water as a form of nutrition, to growing up dealing with the loss of a parent. But he saw possibilities. He was raised with a strong sense of - and value in - community, surrounded by the feeling of love, energy and optimism that make South Africa's townships so special. This feeling and value continues to today, driving him forward to build a better life not only for himself but the community that raised him.
A rugby talent and fan from a young age, Siya Kolisi would compete and train in his adidas rugby boots at school. A mutual appreciation that saw us become proud partners of Kolisi since we provided our first pair of boots to the promising young talent in 2010. What followed is the story of legend.
A rugby talent and fan from a young age, Siya Kolisi would compete and train in his adidas rugby boots at school. A mutual appreciation that saw us become proud partners of Kolisi since we provided our first pair of boots to the promising young talent in 2010. What followed is the story of legend.
In 2018, he made history as South Africa's first-ever Black Test captain, a monumental moment for a country with a deep and raw history of racial segregation. Leading his team to victory in Yokohama in the World Cup in 2019, Kolisi secured a win that stretched beyond the rugby pitch of Japan and touched the lives - and hearts - of all fellow South Africans watching from home.
His role as captain of hearts didn’t stop with this win. Off the field, he is a champion of people via the Kolisi Foundation - created alongside his wife Rachel - established to alleviate extreme poverty, mentor underprivileged youth and promote equality. This has taken fresh significance with the onset of COVID-19 and since the start of the pandemic, the Foundation has fed more than 25,000 families in South Africa and supported thousands of healthcare workers with vital supplies.
Speaking to its ambition, Kolisi comments - “it is important not to lose hope. Once that happens, you’re in trouble. I try to create hope for kids who are in hopeless situations. I want people who grew up the same way I did, or even worse, to know that it is possible. Someone like me has to create hope by giving back so that kids know there’s someone they can relate to – who’s been in the same situation as them, and who’s fighting to make sure that they don’t suffer like I did.” Echoing adidas' own drive for gender equality - the organisation aims to also ensure that no woman "wakes up afraid" born from the abuse and violence experienced as a child.
Follow music artist, Kolisi fan and fellow South African, Dee Koala, as she speaks to the possibilities South Africa’s favourite son saw, where others saw impossibilities.
From humble beginnings in the townships of Port Elizabeth, to becoming a global icon – no-one represents the possibilities of sport better than Siya Kolisi.
His childhood presented many challenges, from food scarcity to the point where he would turn to sugar water as a form of nutrition, to growing up dealing with the loss of a parent. But he saw possibilities. He was raised with a strong sense of - and value in - community, surrounded by the feeling of love, energy and optimism that make South Africa's townships so special. This feeling and value continues to today, driving him forward to build a better life not only for himself but the community that raised him.
A rugby talent and fan from a young age, Siya Kolisi would compete and train in his adidas rugby boots at school. A mutual appreciation that saw us become proud partners of Kolisi since we provided our first pair of boots to the promising young talent in 2010. What followed is the story of legend.
A rugby talent and fan from a young age, Siya Kolisi would compete and train in his adidas rugby boots at school. A mutual appreciation that saw us become proud partners of Kolisi since we provided our first pair of boots to the promising young talent in 2010. What followed is the story of legend.
In 2018, he made history as South Africa's first-ever Black Test captain, a monumental moment for a country with a deep and raw history of racial segregation. Leading his team to victory in Yokohama in the World Cup in 2019, Kolisi secured a win that stretched beyond the rugby pitch of Japan and touched the lives - and hearts - of all fellow South Africans watching from home.
His role as captain of hearts didn’t stop with this win. Off the field, he is a champion of people via the Kolisi Foundation - created alongside his wife Rachel - established to alleviate extreme poverty, mentor underprivileged youth and promote equality. This has taken fresh significance with the onset of COVID-19 and since the start of the pandemic, the Foundation has fed more than 25,000 families in South Africa and supported thousands of healthcare workers with vital supplies.
Speaking to its ambition, Kolisi comments - “it is important not to lose hope. Once that happens, you’re in trouble. I try to create hope for kids who are in hopeless situations. I want people who grew up the same way I did, or even worse, to know that it is possible. Someone like me has to create hope by giving back so that kids know there’s someone they can relate to – who’s been in the same situation as them, and who’s fighting to make sure that they don’t suffer like I did.” Echoing adidas' own drive for gender equality - the organisation aims to also ensure that no woman "wakes up afraid" born from the abuse and violence experienced as a child.
Follow music artist, Kolisi fan and fellow South African, Dee Koala, as she speaks to the possibilities South Africa’s favourite son saw, where others saw impossibilities.
Siya Kolisi Media
