Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has revealed his plans for his post-rugby career and immediate future with Racing 92.
After leading South Africa to back-to-back World Cup titles, Kolisi is entering the latter stages of his career and, at 32, is already making plans for retirement.
The flanker, who has 83 Test caps, has taken advice from former England international and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham. Beckham explained to his captain that he should start planning for life after sport at least eight years before he retires.
Siya Kolisi retirement schedule
Kolisi, an inspirational figure in rugby, has been suggested by many to pursue a career in politics, but he has avoided it on several occasions. He has no plans to retire anytime soon, but he has ideas about what he wants to do and what he wants to do. He achieved this after his active career ended.
“I signed a contract for three seasons (with Racing), so I'll see what happens. If my body is still fit, I'd like to play for another five years,” Kolisi said. Behind the Rack Podcast With former Springboks Juan de Jong and Rudy Page.
“Then I want to go back home and work at the foundation, that’s the first and most important thing.
“The foundation is mine and Rachel’s.” [his wife] – Kolisi Foundation. We started after the 2019 World Cup. During the COVID-19 outbreak, we started with food donations and his PPC. This is because public hospitals and clinics were the last to receive food. We bought his PPC, sanitizer, gloves, etc. for them so they can help people.
“We also needed to help people stay in their homes. We knew people coming from out of town [Zwide]when I was hungry, I went to talk to my neighbors and I thought, “Okay, let's donate food.''
“We couldn't do much, only 500, but we donated for three months. We had enough food, or groceries. Six people could fill us up for a month. I always share because I know what the community is like.”
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi talks about miraculous recovery from injury '9 months' to World Cup glory
Watch the full episode here: https://t.co/FI9Y12V2wj @safasRugby @JuanDeJongh @jaredwright17 @siyakolisi @RocNation @behindtheruck_ @SARugbymag @PUMASouthAfrican @Springboks @therugbytrainer @RugbyGuy10 @RedBullZA pic.twitter.com/Y68C80Wtm5
— Rudy Page (@paige_rudy) February 15, 2024
What drives him and the Springboks
Kolisi often talks about his upbringing and how his hardships led him to success.
The experience also taught him resilience. His rapid recovery from the knee injury that threatened his participation in the World Cup is a perfect example of his dedication.
“People grow up in town, it's poor there, but learning there, ubuntu, I learned everything there, people are resilient,” he added.
“People in town say they're lazy, but I grew up in a place where my uncles, father, and grandfather would wake up at 4 a.m. and stand on the side of the highway waiting for someone to cut the grass. and pick them up so they can do all kinds of work.
“Hard work and resilience, it all comes from that. And so does not complaining when you don't have things and using what you have around you. That's who we are as South Africans.
“That's why when pressure moments come, it's easy and it's a game. We encounter pressure moments every day, but we know what people are going through, so we don't I think that's what drives us as a group.
“I come from that background…When I was there, I was just thinking about just surviving, getting through the day, getting food for the day, but now people are You can see, and what do you know, “I can start” Dreaming of becoming the captain of the Springboks, you can also dream of winning the World Cup. Because they accomplished it. ”
read more: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi explains why 'everyone agrees' with Rassie Erasmus' plan
