Chai Brady
Siya Kolisi of South Africa lifts the Web Ellis cup following his team's victory against England in the Rugby World Cup 2019 Final between England and South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama
Photo: David Rogers / Getty Images South Africa’s rugby team captain, who led his team to victory over the weekend, is a man dedicated to Christ.
Siya Kolisi led the Springboks’ in their historic win on Saturday, England 12-32 South Africa, giving the country their third World Cup victory and putting them on top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.
Writing in SportGoMag in September of this year he said: “While struggling with a lot of things personally — temptations, sins and lifestyle choices — I realised I wasn’t living according to what I was calling myself: a follower of Christ. I was getting by, but I hadn’t decided to fully commit myself to Jesus Christ and start living according to his way.”
Mr Kolisi grew up in difficult circumstances in Zwide were he was raised by his grandmother because his parents were too young to look after him.
Growing up in poverty he started playing rugby when he was eight, describing it as something that “seemed to keep me away from a lot of the bad things going on around me”.
Mentor
“Walking alongside a spiritual mentor, I’ve been able to discover the truth and saving power of Christ in a whole new way. This new life has given me a peace in my heart I’d never experienced before.
“Now that I have given everything to God, nothing else affects me. I now live and play with the freedom of knowing his plan will always happen, and at the end of the day, that’s all I care about!”