Kolisi elevates legendary status

Springbok captain and back-to-back Rugby World Cup winner, Siya Kolisi, has been named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024.

In 2023, Kolisi led the Boks to a record fourth Rugby World Cup title, with the team becoming only the second one to retain the trophy after winning the title in 2019, following the All Blacks who won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2015.

The list includes people that the magazine believes “most changed the stories that define the past year”.

In a write-up on Kolisi, South African comedian Trevor Noah said the Gqeberha- born flanker was “the embodiment of hope during a time in which many South Africans find it hard to hold on to any,” referring to life in South Africa after the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing energy crisis, and the country’s political tensions.

“Through his wisdom and humility, Siya has taught us what a powerful captain should be: someone who serves and inspires those he leads. And for him to lead a team through his wisdom and humility, Siya has taught us what a powerful captain should be: someone who serves and inspires those he leads. And for him to lead a team in a historically white sport, to be loved and adored by fans of all races, is an immense achievement,” Noah wrote.

He also described Kolisi as “an incessant warrior on the field, but he’s also a doting dad, a loving husband, and a great friend.”

Kolisi joins the likes of Taraji P. Henson, Elliot Page, Burna Boy, Michael J. Fox, Jenni Hermoso, Hayao Miyazaki, Max Verstappen, and William Ruto who also made the list. Written by Ntsako Mkhari