Siya Kolisi will lead South Africa against England today, but the Springboks captain’s remarkable story stretches far beyond what he has achieved on the rugby pitch.
The two-time Rugby World Cup winner has overcome extraordinary challenges throughout his life, including a family tragedy that ultimately saw him take responsibility for his younger siblings.
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But long before Kolisi became one of the most recognisable figures in world sport, he was forced to grow up quicker than most.
Kolisi was just 23 when he took in his younger siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, following a devastating family tragedy.
His mother, Phakama, died in 2009, with his younger brother and sister later spending years in foster care and orphanages before being reunited with him.
Kolisi had reportedly not seen them for years before finally finding them in foster care in Zwide, a township in Gqeberha, in 2012. The reunion proved to be a life-changing moment for the future Springbok captain.
He and Rachel Kolisi later adopted Liyema and Liphelo, bringing them into their household alongside their own children.
It meant Kolisi was not only trying to establish himself as a professional rugby player, but also stepping into a parental role at an age when most players are still finding their feet.
The story has become a major part of why Kolisi is admired far beyond rugby.
Born in Zwide, he endured a difficult upbringing before earning a scholarship to Grey High School, a move that helped set him on the path to professional rugby.
From those beginnings, Kolisi went on to become South Africa’s first black Test captain and led the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 2019 and 2023.
Now, as he prepares to face England once again, his journey remains one of the most powerful in sport.
For Kolisi, leadership has never just been about what happens on a rugby field.
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Antoine Dupont now the highest-paid rugby player in the world (Full list)
Based on estimated annual earnings, the following list highlights the five highest-paid players in the game today, showcasing how commercial power now rivals performance across the professional era.
5. Maro Itoje
Maro Itoje is estimated to earn around £800,000 per year at Saracens, with his overall package boosted by his RFU contract.
The England and British & Irish Lions captain is one of the biggest names in the global game, with his combined earnings believed to push his total annual package close to the £1 million mark.
Itoje has spent his entire senior club career with Saracens, winning multiple Premiership and European titles while establishing himself as one of the leading forwards of his generation.
The second-row remains a central figure for both club and country and captained the British & Irish Lions during their 2025 tour of Australia.
4 Cheslin Kolbe
Cheslin Kolbe is estimated to earn around £930,000 per year as a star player for Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan Rugby League One. However, reports suggest he may have accepted a reduced salary ahead of his return to South Africa.
The winger is set to join the DHL Stormers next season, where player salaries are generally lower than those on offer in Japan.
Kolbe played a pivotal role in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, including scoring one of the standout tries in the 2019 final.
