BOK IN MAKING Siya storms into Super 15 with bang

SIYA Kolisi, who has stepped into the boots of Schalk Burger at the Stormers, was born at the dawn of the new South Africa, a time of hope and expectation for a country on the brink of epic change.

But for millions across the land, those early days of democracy were no fairytale and the Stormers

– ’ sensational flank was one of them.

Kolisi was born to a 16-year-old mother in Zwide, Port Elizabeth, and a father who was in matric. After marrying another man and giving birth to two more children, his mother, Phakama, died when Kolisi was 15.

His father, Fezakele, was not active in his life. It was left to his grandmother to raise the young boy. Times were tough and “often there wasn t food. I

’ would go to bed hungry,” Kolisi says. Sometimes we didn t “’ have money to pay school fees.” Looking at him now a

– powerfully built young rugby player known for his destructive tackling it s

– ’ hard to believe he was once a skinny, starving kid.

With bulging biceps, broad shoulders, meaty hands and thighs like tree trunks, Kolisi is a testament to hard work, good genes and a positive attitude.

I ve always loved “’ rugby and my dad played for a while though I never got to see him play,” Kolisi says. We don t see each

“’ other much. I think he s

’ only seen me play on television once.”

His gran, Nolulamile, has died, severing the last real family bond he had with life in Zwide. I don t know where “’ (my siblings) are. I would like to find them and see what they are like. Maybe help them if I can.”

It could be a tragic tale, but Kolisi has risen above his hardships thanks to his exceptional rugby talent and positive attitude.

Spotted at a rugby festival by Grey Junior School rugby master Andrew Hayidakis, Kolisi was given a scholarship to PE s most

’ elite sporting school.

By grade 11 he was playing for Grey High s first

’ XV, but that level of rugby was easy for a youngster who had been playing township rugby against tough opponents for years. I was 16 when I made “my debut for the African Bombers first team in a tournament in Johannesburg, Kolisi says. I played

” “against the late Solly Tyibilika in one of the games. I remember a game “against Spring Roses where I got hit so hard I didn t

’ know where I was. Club rugby was dirty but I learnt a lot.”

At Grey he was forbidden from playing club rugby, but Kolisi continued to sneak out for the odd township game because playing with his mates was a different kind of fun.

Kolisi is dedicated to his profession and like any 20-year-old with talent, wants to play for the Boks.

For now he has the not insignificant task of deputising for the injured Burger for the next four matches in the Super 15.

Burger suffered a knee injury in the first match and Kolisi earned his chance sooner than expected. Stormers fans briefly buried their heads when Burger limped off, but frowns have been quickly replaced by smiles when Kolisi started knocking Hurricanes ball-carriers down in a way that would make Burger proud.

Last week he had a massive game against a highly physical Sharks side. And all the while he is learning to be an openside flanker.

Kolisi is thriving.