JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s first black Test captain, Siyamthanda ‘Siya’ Kolisi, brushed off racial tensions that have marred his appointment, vowing Wednesday to lead the national team to victory.
In his first public appearance since being named Bok captain two days ago, he told journalists in Johannesburg that he wanted to focus on the game and not on the political and racial narratives around his historic appointment.
“I can’t focus on what those people are saying, I can only focus on people that really matter to me and who support me,” Kolisi said.
“Coach ‘Rassie’ (Johan Erasmus) is not a politician and I’m also not a politician.”
Kolisi this week became the first black to be named South Africa Test captain, ending 127 years of white skippers since the national team debuted.
Controversy has shadowed the 26-year-old flanker’s appointment to the prized position with some on social media and in rugby circles seeing his position as a political appointment.
Post-apartheid government and rugby bosses have battled to enforce racial transformation in a team that once barred blacks.
At least 50 percent of the team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan will be black after a deal was struck between the ruling African National Congress party and rugby officials.
Kolisi said he believed his promotion was genuine and based on his skills.
He pointed out that he and coach Erasmus had known each other since he was 18.
“For the coach to show this much faith in me, I’m just going to give everything I can and do my best and make sure that I deliver.
“I can only control what I can do on the field.”
South African rugby has historically been entrenched in racial politics, with the sport viewed as predominantly white.
Blacks were barred from representing the country at rugby during apartheid and progress toward a team reflecting the 92 percent black population of the country has been frustratingly slow.
Although only eight percent of South Africans are white, they have dominated provincial and national rugby teams.
Racial tensions reignited off the field this month when TV analyst and former black Springbok Ashwin Willemse accused two former white internationals of being “patronizing.”
Willemse stormed off a live Super Rugby show after saying Naas Botha and Nick Mallett, who also coached South Africa, were “undermining” him.
The Springboks play England in Johannesburg (June 9), Bloemfontein (June 16) and Cape Town (June 23).
South Africa’s first black rugby captain Kolisi brushes off racial tensions
South Africa’s first black rugby captain Kolisi brushes off racial tensions
- ‘Siya’ Kolisi told journalists in Johannesburg that he wanted to focus on the game and not on the political and racial narratives around his historic appointment.
- Racial tensions reignited off the field this month when TV analyst and former black Springbok Ashwin Willemse accused two former white internationals of being ‘patronizing.’
Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 gets $45m boost
- New tournament set to elevate global esports by establishing a structured ecosystem that supports players, clubs, and national teams
RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced the competition dates and prize model for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh from Nov. 2 to 29.
The ENC adds a national layer to the global esports calendar. It complements the club-based Esports World Cup by giving players the chance to represent their nations.
ENC 2026 is backed by a three-part funding commitment totaling $45 million, structured to support the esports ecosystem through player and coach prizing, club release incentives, and national team development.
It includes $20 million in prize money paid directly to players and coaches across 16 titles.
In addition, the EWCF will provide $5 million in incentives for clubs that release and enable their professional players to participate in the ENC, with rewards tied directly to the performance of their players at the event.
The EWCF will also provide $20 million through the previously announced ENC Development Fund, supporting partners with logistics, travel, program operations, marketing, and the long-term growth of national team pathways.
“National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, one that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in identity and pride,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the EWCF.
“Clubs are the cultural backbone of esports. Nation-based competition expands the stage, creates new rivalries, and gives more fans a reason to care from day one.
“Our prize model is designed to keep competition fair and sustainable, rewarding performance while supporting the long-term development of players, clubs, and national programs.”
The ENC introduces a placement-based prize framework, applied across all game titles, designed to be clear and player-centric. Every qualified participant earns prize money and is guaranteed a minimum of three matches.
Equal placement earns equal pay: the same finishing position pays the same amount per player across all titles, and coaches are rewarded alongside players for the same placement.
A first-place finish awards $50,000 per player, whether competing in a solo title or as part of a team, while second provides $30,000, and third $15,000. For team titles, payouts scale with the roster size, so the result is consistent and transparent for everyone competing.
The ENC will launch in Riyadh and move to a rotating host-city model. The event will be held every two years to provide a dependable structure that supports long-term planning for players, partners, and national programs.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, Dota 2 have already been confirmed for ENC 2026, with additional titles to be announced in the coming days.
