Siya looks up to Boks of the future

Amazed at the size of the Junior Springboks in Gqeberha, Siya Kolisi wishes the team well for the 2025 U20 Rugby Championship while advising them to use the opportunity wisely.

He shared some inspiring words with the young South Africans when the Springbok captain visited their Saturday morning training session at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The Junior Boks returned to the training field following last week’s victory against Argentina in the first of three rounds of the southern hemisphere age-group competition in the region.

Kolisi, who hails from the Eastern Cape, said: “It’s amazing to see the boys and good to be in Gqeberha, where people are so hungry for rugby and to see our boys play.

“I can see they and the coaches are working hard, they have a great culture and I can see the future of our rugby is in good hands.”

“The size of these boys, it’s ridiculous compared to me,” he quipped.

When asked what he said to them, the two-time World Cup-winning skipper replied: “I just wished them luck and told them that, at this young age, it’s a huge privilege. 

“They represent all of us in South Africa right now; this is their opportunity, and they must use it well. They are representing not just some people, but the whole of the country.

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“They must enjoy the moment because the opportunity can be taken away just like that. I also told them to dream bigger than what is happening on the field – this is not the end for them, they want to kick on to the highest level.”

After nearly 9000 people attended the Junior Boks’ opening game on Thursday, Kolisi also had a special message for the rugby supporters in the city, where the Boks will face Italy in July.

 “I know I don’t have to urge the rugby supporters in Gqeberha to come and support the tournament and our boys,” he added.

 “I know they are going to attend because this province is hungry for rugby and big events. That’s why every time we come here it’s always full and the people come to welcome us at the airport.

“I want to say thanks in advance to the people in Gqeberha for coming out to support the boys and filling out the stadium – you can see this province can host big events and hopefully more will come after this.”

“Seeing Siya watch the training session and then his engagement with the squad and staff afterwards was a very special moment,” Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said. 

“He is our hero and we are grateful for the inspiring words he shared with us and we thoroughly enjoyed the special occasion.”

Photo: SAJuniorRugby/Twitter