Siya Kolisi Keynote Speaker

First Black Captain of the South African Rugby Team
Led South Africa to consecutive Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023
Co-founder of the Kolisi Foundation, dedicated to social upliftment

Siya Kolisi's Biography

Siya Kolisi is a trailblazing South African rugby player renowned for his leadership and resilience. As the first Black captain in the Springboks’ history, he led South Africa to historic Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, becoming only the second captain to achieve back-to-back titles. In 2024, under his captaincy, the Springboks secured multiple trophies, including the Qatar Airways Cup, the Mandela Challenge Plate, the Freedom Cup, The Rugby Championship, and the Prince William Cup.

Off the pitch, Siya is recognized for his unwavering commitment to philanthropy and social justice. In 2020, he co-founded the Kolisi Foundation, aiming to combat inequality in South Africa by focusing on food security, education, and support for victims of gender-based violence. His dedication to social causes has earned him numerous accolades, including the World Peace and Sport Champion award in 2019.

In 2021, Siya released his autobiography, “Rise,” offering an intimate look into his journey from humble beginnings in Zwide township to international rugby stardom. The book has been praised for its candid exploration of race, faith, and resilience.

As a speaker, Kolisi shares the profound lessons that have shaped his path to becoming a world champion. Drawing on his experiences of overcoming adversity, he offers powerful insights on perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of purpose-driven leadership. His compelling narrative inspires audiences to embrace challenges, foster unity, and strive for excellence in their respective fields.

Leadership under pressure in high-stakes environments

Building unity and cultivating diverse, high-performing teams

Overcoming adversity to achieve breakthrough success

Inspiring youth and driving social impact through personal initiatives

Embracing resilience and thriving amidst challenges

He captained South Africa to Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, sharing leadership lessons from uniting a team under intense global pressure.
He draws on his journey from township beginnings to world champion to explore resilience, purpose and overcoming adversity.
He reveals how trust, humility and shared purpose can build teams capable of achieving extraordinary success.
Her work with faith-based and community organisations, from her time as First Lady of Massachusetts to her role with CharityVision, equips leaders to think differently about service, civic responsibility and social impact.
He inspires audiences with lessons on unity, perseverance and creating positive impact beyond the field.