Career Information
Early Life
Kolisi grew up in a township in Port Elizabeth. He was raised by his grandmother, after his mother passed away, when he was 15 years old.
He was offered a scholarship at Grey Junior in Port Elizabeth after impressing scouts at a youth tournament in Mossel
Bay.
He would later also be offered a scholarship to Grey High School.
Kolisi formed part of the Eastern Province Kings youth set-up between 2007 & 2009, taking part in the Under-16 Grant Khomo week and the Under-18 Craven week.
He would later move to Western Province, based in Cape Town and join the South African national under-18 (SA Schools) team for two years.
Professional Career
Kolisi would make his senior debut for Western Province in the 2011 Vodacom Cup and later in the year, due to injuries and international duties, he would make regular appearances in the Currie Cup (The South African domestic competition), scoring 4 tries.
During the 2012 season, Kolisi would graduate to the Stormers squad competing in the Super Rugby competition, a competition consisting of teams from South Africa, New Zealand, & Australia.
Kolisi would form a regular part in the Stormers set-up during the 2013 season, earning 13 appearances and scoring 2
tries.
He would also earn his first international opportunity to play for the Springboks.
Kolisi would go on to captain the Stormers on 20 February 2017 until moving to the Sharks team based in Durban in 2021.
In 2023, after winning his second successive Rugby World Cup for the Springboks, Kolisi would move Racing 92 based in
France.
International Career
Kolisi was a member of the South African under 20 team, competing in both the 2010 and 2011 IRB Junior World
Championships
Kolisi made his national team debut as Springbok number 851 on 15 June 2013 against Scotland at the Mbombela Stadium in
Nelspruit. He replaced an injured player in the 5th minute and was named Man of the Match in their 30-17 victory over
Scotland.
He would make another 9 substitute appearances during the balance of the 2013 international season as he established himself as a regular member of the national squad.
Kolisi became the first ever black player to lead the Springboks in a match against England at Ellis Park on 9 June
2018.
Bryan Habana, a former Springbok and of mixed race, praised Kolisi's appointment: "It's a monumental moment for
South African rugby, and a moment in South African history."
Kolisi captained the South African team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, defeating England by 20 points in the final, earning their third World Cup title, and would go on to captain the team to a record-setting fourth World Cup, and second consecutive title in October 2023 in France.