Siya Kolisi documentary set for Zwide premiere

The Siya Kolisi documentary will premiere at the end of February. Photo: SuperSport

WATCH: Inspirational Kolisi opens up on emotional subjects

As part of the build up to Siya Kolisi’s new documentary, the Springbok captain has opened up on several key subjects.

Siya Kolisi documentary set for Zwide premiere

The Siya Kolisi documentary will premiere at the end of February. Photo: SuperSport

At the end of January, the village community of Zwide in the Eastern Cape was treated to a special pre-screening of the documentary depicting Siya Kolisi’s life, a month before the film’s official release.

An intensely personal new documentary, Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, will reveal a different side to the Springboks captain. It tells the tale of Kolisi’s upbringing and tracks his path from hopeless boy to captain of South Africa, and one of the most influential sports people ever.

Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story will premiere on DStv in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa on 26 February, offering exclusive insights into the making of the man, both on and off the rugby field.

In the lead-up to the premiere, Kolisi has conducted an interview with SuperSport, which again reveals a different side to the 31-year-old as he discusses a range of subjects from mental health, to reconnecting with his dad to the challenges of his upbringing.

PICTURES: FORMER SPRINGBOK APPREHENDS SUSPECTED SHOPLIFTER

You can watch some of the clips below:

You can also watch the discussion on mental health by clicking here

In another clip, the national captain also recounts his painful childhood and being helpless against the frequent abuse of his mother. Click here to watch that portion of the interview.

Last month, some special pictures and videos already emerged showing Kolisi back in his community as he continued to share his remarkable story.

ALSO READ | New Siya Kolisi documentary soon to be released

When the idea of a film of his life was pitched to Kolisi, his primary condition was that the very first viewing take place in the township he grew up in, Zwide, in the Eastern Cape; and that proceeds made from the documentary be channeled back to the community and various worthy causes supported by the Kolisi family.

The point of Kolisi’s request was that he wanted to demonstrate that his story is the story of the community. Commenting on this deeply personal decision, Kolisi said: “For me, some of my best memories are from the township, and it’s the people in my community who motivate me every day.”

“I now have the platform to hopefully be able to change the stories of those kids growing up in similar circumstances, but at the same time the biggest thing for me is to change the mindset while they’re still living in tough conditions.”

“I wanted to showcase South Africa because it’s such a beautiful country, but I also wanted to authentically show viewers what the township looks like and how more people need to come and invest in these areas.” Kolisi added.

ALSO READ | SIYA KOLISI’S UPCOMING MOVE TO FRENCH CLUB CONFIRMED

RISE: THE SIYA KOLISI STORY DELVES DEEP:

Not only does the documentary — which was facilitated by world-renowned agency Roc Nation Sports International — delve deeply into Kolisi’s improbable rise to international stardom as he led the country to a World Cup victory as the first black Test captain of the Springboks, it also takes an unashamed look
into his personal life.

He shares the story of his complicated relationship with his father, his struggle with alcoholism and his journey with wife Rachel in this intimate film.

“Siya’s story is rich in excitement, drama, inspiration and joy; qualities with which we can all identify,” said Marc Jury, chief executive of SuperSport. “This film is nuanced and shows a side of Siya that is seldom seen, a side that will give hope to many.”

Rise Siya Kolisi Story to premiere in Zwide in Eastern Cape.
Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story premiered in Zwide, where he grew up. Photo: Twitter