Springboks ‘Captain Africa’ lands book deal
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 15: Siya Kolisi of South Africa poses for a portrait during the South Africa Rugby World Cup 2019 squad photo call on September 15, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Publishing house HarperCollins purchased the rights to the biography of the world cup winning South African rugby captain Siya Kolisi.
The rights were held by Roc Nation Sports, Kolisi’s management agents post world cup and the deal, which includes the ‘All Language’ rights to Kolisi’s life story, was made with an assist by Literary production agency, The Blair Partnership.
The plan for the book is to have it written by author Boris Starling and have the book released early in 2021 prior to the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
“There are so many parts of my story that haven’t been told and I feel it’s the perfect time to share these with the hope of inspiring and motivating anyone who has ever faced adversity,” Kolisi said, marking the announcement.
“It was so important to me that my story was told from my own account and with the right publishing group. I’m thrilled to partner with HarperCollins on a creative project we can both be proud of.”
HarperCollins, in the announcement, explained “Kolisi’s life story will tell the extraordinary tale of a young boy from an impoverished township on the Eastern Cape who went on to guide the Springboks to their first World Cup final in 12 years and lift Rugby Union’s greatest prize. Born to teenage parents, Kolisi was raised by his grandmother after the death of his mother when he was just 15. Aged 12 he won a rugby scholarship to a prestigious local school, despite speaking no English on arrival. A decade later Kolisi led his team to victory on the world stage in one of the most inspirational success stories in the sport’s history. Kolisi’s story is one of stoicism, unification and self-belief.”
In May 2018, Kolisi was named captain of the Springboks by head coach Rassie Erasmus. The first black test captain in the 128 year history of the Springboks, the significance of Kolisi’s appointment was not lost on Rugby fans and sports fans overall much less the humble captain. After a year helping to revitalize the spirits of teammates and fans, Kolisi made history as he helped lead the team to victory in the 2019 World Cup and became the first black captain of a World Cup winning team.
