Siya Kolisi named in TIME100 most influential people list

Siya Kolisi named in TIME100 most influential people list

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has been named on TIME Magazine’s TIME100 list for 2024.

The TIME100 is an annual catalogue of the 100 most influential people in the world and was first published in 1999.

Other South Africans named on previous TIME100 lists include athlete Caster Semenya in 2019, comedian Trevor Noah in 2018 and AIDS researcher Professor Glenda Grey in 2017.

Kolisi became just the second skipper to lead a successful defence of a Rugby World Cup title in October 2023 in France after also captaining the Springboks to victory in 2019 in Japan.

The 32-year-old followed in the footsteps of All Blacks great Richie McCaw who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011 and 2015.

Siya Kolisi playing in France

Having represented the Stormers and Sharks, Kolisi now plays his club rugby in France with Racing 92.

Kolisi was named among the “Innovators” with TIME Magazine adding that “these are the people who we believe most changed the stories that define the past year” in their reasoning for selecting who they did on the list.

“Being named to the TIME100 list is an incredible honour, one that deeply humbles me,” Kolisi said.

“It’s a profound responsibility to stand alongside individuals who dedicate their lives to enriching others. This recognition isn’t just for me; it reflects the numerous individuals and communities who have poured into me and shaped me to be person I am and am becoming.

“I’m grateful to TIME for highlighting the importance of compassion and service in our world.”

Meanwhile, as reported by The South African website, Siya Kolisi, is nominated for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award, after recovering from a partial ligament tear to lead the Springboks to glory in Paris in 2023.

The Laureus awards will take place on Monday, 22 April.

LAUREUS WORLD COMEBACK OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES

Simone Biles (USA) Gymnastics – after a two-year absence, returned to win four World Championship golds

Sébastien Haller (Ivory Coast) Football – recovered from cancer diagnosis to return for Borussia Dortmund

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (UK) Athletics – won heptathlon gold at World Championships after multiple injuries

Siya Kolisi (South Africa) Rugby – came back from ACL tear to lead his country to World Cup glory

Jamal Murray (Canada) Basketball – after 18 months out, won NBA Championship with Denver

Markéta Vondroušová (Czech Republic) Tennis – won Wimbledon as an unseeded player after a series of injuries