Siya Kolisi wearing a Chiefs jersey back in the day. Photo: Twitter

Siya Kolisi wearing a Chiefs jersey back in the day. Photo: Twitter

Siya Kolisi to make special ‘appearance’ at Soweto derby

There will be a special half-time show planned for Springbok captain Siya Kolisi during Saturday’s Soweto derby.

Siya Kolisi wearing a Chiefs jersey back in the day. Photo: Twitter

Siya Kolisi wearing a Chiefs jersey back in the day. Photo: Twitter

Iconic Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is known to be a massive Chiefs and Liverpool fan, and in the recent past he has even called for Amakhosi supporters to show patience with the team during periods of underperformance.

There is no doubt that Kolisi will be an interested observer when the Soweto derby between Chiefs and Pirates takes centre stage on Saturday. Kick-off is at 15:30 at the FNB Stadium.

Although Kolisi won’t be there in person as he is currently taking part in a Springbok training camp, it has been confirmed by SuperSport that the famed sportsman will be making a ‘virtual appearance’ at half-tiime.

“SuperSport has facilitated a halftime show with a twist,” a statement read. “In an unprecedented move, the show will be dedicated to amplifying this weekend’s premiere of the much awaited ‘Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story’, to be broadcast on DStv on Sunday.

“Ten members of the famous Gwijo Squad will sing igwijo (synonymous with Kolisi) from the centre circle at FNB Stadium and the World Cup-winning rugby captain will address the anticipated capacity crowd via a recording on the big screen.”

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The inspirational documentary about Kolisi premieres publicly on Sunday

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 latest preview shared by SuperSport, the documentary is described as “raw, brave, funny and remarkable”.

“To Kolisi’s credit, his story is unvarnished and even unpleasant in parts,” the preview reads. “There are deeply revealing cameos with his wife Rachel, who at one point exhorts that she doesn’t want to make him seem ‘like a monster’ in her telling of their journey together.

“So too the fractured, difficult relationship with his father, a flawed man with whom Siya has a tangled link. For all its pathos, it is part of what adds to the depth and quality of the film. It also reaffirms the staggering turnaround by the player himself, a man who admits to struggling with the demon drink and partying a little too hard in his early years.

“Fundamentally, he started life on the backfoot in Zwide in the Eastern Cape and endured struggles every step of the way. That he managed to make his way out to emerge as South Africa’s No 1 sporting hero is a scarcely believable miracle.

“What the film also shows is how he has managed to straddle both of his realities: the one as a man from the township, the other as a father now living contentedly in suburbia.”

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BROADCAST DETAILS

MNet: February 26 at 5pm.

1Magic: February 26 at 5pm.

SuperSport: February 26 at 8pm (Grandstand, Rugby, and Variety 1).

Showmax: March 6.

Showmax Pro: March 1.

Rise Siya Kolisi Story to premiere in Zwide in Eastern Cape.
Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story first aired during private screenings in Zwide, where he grew up.