Siya Kolisi named Rugby Union Writers’ Club personality of the year after World Cup victory
Springbok captain led South Africa to World Cup glory as well as the Rugby Championship title and succeeds Johnny Sexton as winner of the prestigeous award
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been voted the Rugby Union Writers' Club personality of the year for 2019.
Kolisi succeeds Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton as holder of the Pat Marshall Memorial Award after being recognised at the RUWC's annual dinner in central London following a poll of its 200-plus members.
The inspirational 28-year-old was at the helm for South Africa's World Cup triumph last autumn, when England were defeated 32-12 in a one-sided final at Yokohama Stadium.
A hard-tackling openside who is strong over the ball, Kolisi was appointed as the Springboks' first black Test captain in 2018 and has presided over a series victory against England and Rugby Championship glory, as well as lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy for the third time in the nation's history.
His ascent to the summit of the game is all the more remarkable given he was raised in poverty by his grandmother in a township outside Port Elizabeth.
Kolisi follows in the footsteps of previous greats to have been acclaimed by the RUWC such as Gareth Edwards, Jonah Lomu, Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Carter.
The list of nominees in contention for the 2019 award was dominated by South Africa with head coach Rassie Erasmus and scrum-half Faf de Klerk also present, while Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones and Japan talisman Michael Leitch completed the line-up.
Former Scotland captain Tom Smith has received the Special Award in recognition of his service to the game as he battles colorectal cancer.
The 48-year-old prop won 61 international caps between 1997 and 2005 and was a key member of the Lions Test team that completed a 2-1 series victory over South Africa in 1997.
Smith, who played for the Caledonian Reds, Glasgow Caledonians, Brive and Northampton, now lives in the south of France.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments