During a Rugby World Cup Trophy Blitz in Gqeberha, Springbok players Jesse Kriel and Deon Fourie represented the national rugby team, meeting up with their captain Siya Kolisi’s father along the way.
Deon and Jesse made sure that their first stop was in Zwide, the township in which Siya grew up. According to The South African, Siya could no join due to contractual obligations with French rugby team Racing 92.
Jesse shared with HeraldLIVE, “It’s special to see what the trophy means to the community here and amazing to see what rugby has done.” He further shared that they had spent time with Siya’s family, and his father, Fezakele Kolisi, who was dressed in a yellow Springbok-inspired T-shirt.
The Springbok Instagram account shared a video of Jesse and Deon’s time in the Eastern Cape, with Fezakele embracing the duo as he held the trophy.
Moments with other Gqeberha locals were also captured.
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Siya has previously stated that he had not had the best relationship with his father. He spent most of his childhood in Zwide under the care of his grandmother after his mother, Phakama, died when he was 15 years old, shares IOL.
It appears that the two have since mended their relationship as in 2021, Siya shared on Instagram that he could sleep lighter after having a “much-needed, deep conversation” with his father.
“I’m not sure about the relationship between time and healing, but I now know that in time we can grow the courage we need in order to take the first steps towards healing,” wrote Siya. “The relationship with this man is important to me and I’m glad for the opportunity and strength to keep fighting for it. oGqwashu, oGxiya , oManzini , oLawu abahle.”
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Last year November, the entire rugby team toured Pretoria, Johannesburg, Soweto, Cape Town, Durban and East London.
The South African Rugby Union (also known as SA Rugby) noted that Pretoria, Johannesburg, Soweto, Cape Town and Durban were selected for its population size. While East London was chosen because of the Eastern Cape’s rugby significance.
Also see: ‘Like father like son’ – Siya Kolisi’s son plays his first rugby game
