ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday Jul 7, 2020

Siya Kolisi nabs top spot as rugby's most influential person

It’s hard to argue that anyone has had a better year of rugby than Siya Kolisi. After making history as South Africa’s first-ever black captain, he went on to lead the Springboks to their third RWC title. Now Rugby World Magazine has placed him at the top of their “most influential” list.

ADVERTISEMENT

Admittedly, South Africa’s road to the Rugby World Cup was strewn with obstacles, many beyond the players’ control.

“We have so many problems in our country. But to have a team like this, we come from different backgrounds, different races and we came together with one goal,” said Kolisi.

By embracing these differences, Kolisi inspired his team to victory in Japan. Beyond that, he undoubtedly achieved another of his goals in inspiring the youth back home.

“All I want to do is just want to inspire my kids and every other kid in South Africa and I hope they are proud.  When they are looking for a role model I want them to look at me.

“I never thought this would happen at all. When I was a kid, all I was thinking about was getting my next meal. There are so many people in SA who just need an opportunity – I got my opportunity and I took it with both hands. There so many stories that have been told like this in South Africa.”

It was fellow South African Nelson Mandela who once said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does”. This is exactly how Kolisi has been living out his rugby and captaincy. 

Like Mandela, his influence has the power to go well-beyond.

Springbok World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus also made the list, at number six.

Here are the top ten in Rugby World magazine’s Most Influential People in Rugby in 2020:

ADVERTISEMENT

1. Siya Kolisi
2. Bernard Laporte
3. Maro Itoje
4. Warren Gatland
5. Nick Clarry
6. Rassie Erasmus
7. Claude Atcher
8. Eddie Jones
9. Dr Eanna Falvey
10. Katie Sadleir

Related Articles

  • 34 WEEKS AGO

    Montage of HUGE hits and brilliant tries...

  • 34 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 34 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Incredible Camera Work During URC Clash Shows Rugby Player’s Athleticism

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Heart Breaking Six Nations Ending For Italy As Scotland Score Long Range Try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Montpellier Number Eight Zach Mercer Outlandish Attacking Skill

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Damian Penaud Pulls Off a "van der Merwe" in Outrageous French Try

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland Winger James Lowe With World Class Finish In Titanic Battle With France

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 13 HOURS AGO

    Referee Luke Pearce Gets Hit Hard In Harlequins vs Saracens Clash

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Owen Farrell On The Receiving End Of An Illegal Hit

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Refereeing Legend Nigel Owens Breaks Down Freddie Steward Incident

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    England and Ireland fans express disappointment in grand slam refereeing decisions

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    England Fullback Shown Red For Collision With Opposite Number

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Sevens magic as 'headed' try brings stadium to its feet

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Almost 35,000 have now signed petition to reverse new grassroots tackle laws

View All

Funnies

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Whole Irish squad turn up to teammates parents house for drinking session

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jonathan Sexton Fantastic Comeback Caught On Ref Mic

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Hilarious Footage Of English Players Post Leg Day Workout

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen leaves viewers in stitches with hilarious post-match interview mistake

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    A Look Back At Rugby’s Greatest Ever Film

View All

Amateur

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 34 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 34 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 34 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Youth and experience combine in an effort to repeat Six Nations upset

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wales international releases emotional statement after being offered contract that isn’t enough to feed family

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea causes outrage with ‘throat slitting’ gesture

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Smith, Marchant and Murley released from England camp to take part in 'Big Game 14'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen leaves viewers in stitches with hilarious post-match interview mistake

View All