Roc Nation Sports International, earlier today, announced the signing of 2018 Rugby World Cup winner and team captain, Siya Kolisi.
Nicknamed “The Bear,” Kolisi began his professional rugby career in 2012, at 20 years old, and since that time, Kolisi has created a path for the sport to reach a mainstream audience.
Kolisi has made his mark through his captaincy of the South African National Rugby team, called Springbook, as well as the Stormers Super Rugby franchise, a member club of the South African Rugby Union. Kolisi first became a captain in 2017 for the Stormers, and in 2018, he was named the 61st captain of Springbrook.
In 2018, Kolisi led South Africa to a Rugby World Cup final victory, a 32-12 match over England, the country’s first since 1995.
Kolisi is a leader not only on the field but is well known for his off-field efforts. Kolisi’s captaincy of Springbrook was further elevated by the fact that he was the first black man to be named captain of Springbrook in 126 years.
Says Roc Nation Sports International President, Michael Yormark, “Siya Kolisi joins the Roc Nation Sports International family as an iconic unifying figure, who has faced adversity and come through it as a role model to many, not only in Africa but around the world. A real talent of substance, we are thrilled to support Siya in his career moving forward.”
According to his social profile, Kolisi already maintains partnerships with Adidas and Red Bull.
Kolisi joins a Roc Nation roster of already accomplished clients, including, Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Jérôme Boateny (Bayern Munich), and Eric Bailly (Manchester United), among others.