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The awards keep on coming for in-demand Kolisi

By Josh Raisey
Siya Kolisi with the trophy during South Africa's World Cup celebrations (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Celebrations are continuing for Siya Kolisi after he guided South Africa to World Cup glory in November, with the skipper’s latest award coming when he was named Champion of the Year at the Peace and Sport Awards in Monaco.

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The 28-year-old also joined the Champions for Peace club, which has former France internationals such as Serge Betsen, Sebastien Chabal, Imanol Harinordoquy and many other global sports stars amongst its membership. 

The organisation said on Instagram it was “honoured to work with such an amazing athlete and human being and welcome him as a Champion for Peace”.

Peace and Sport also shared what Kolisi had to say after receiving the award. He said: “Joining the club is amazing, it’s a great honour and a privilege for me. 

“It’s good to see that Peace and Sport recognizes those who use their voices to help others and to see the organisation also works off the field and inspires people to do more. Because we are not only athletes, we can do a lot also off the field.”

The flanker took to Instagram himself after the ceremony on Thursday to thank those that have supported him. He said: “As much as I love playing this game, inspiring the youth and impacting the community is of equal importance. Through sport, we can truly change society.”

This is once again an insight into the impact that the Springboks’ victory at the RWC in Japan has had. The significance of Kolisi being his country’s first black captain and his story of growing up in a township has now been well publicised now.

However, the fact he has triumphed in a shortlist containing Carli Lloyd, Marin Cilic and Eric Abidal, each with powerful stories of their own, shows the global influence of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.

This award comes after Kolisi signed for Roc Nation Sports International in what has been a hectic few weeks following his exploits in Japan. 

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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