Eric Songwiqi, Siya Kolisi’s first rugby coach and retired principal of Emsengeni Primary School in Zwide, Gqeberha, where the Bok captain started his schooling career.
Candice Bezuidenhout/News24
When he saw the tiny boy who wanted to play rugby, never did he imagine in his wildest dreams that this very same boy would one day become a Springbok player, let alone the captain of the national team.
But what Eric Songwiqi definitely knew was that little Siya Kolisi had all the other qualities of an excellent rugby player even if his stature was small.
Kolisi was disciplined, humble, well-mannered and, most importantly, “God-fearing”.
South Africans need to be in the know if we want to create a prosperous future. News24 has kept the country informed for 25 years, and we’re about to enter a new chapter of fearless journalism. Join our free subscription trial to unlock this story and a world of news aimed to inform, empower, and inspire.