Raised by his Christian grandmother in a South African township, Siya knew what it was like to be without. His father left when he was a toddler and his teenage mother believed it was better for him to be cared for by his grandmother. He struggled to get meals during the day and his grandmother would bring bread back after visiting friends in their township, often going without food so he could eat.

Attending school was a highlight as school provided him with a slice of bread with peanut butter and jam as well as some powdered milk. This was often his only meal of the day. However, his ‘grandmother did her best and gave me love and time and that was all I needed’ although ‘I wanted this from my father but he wasn’t around’. Those he looked up to in the township smoked weed or were drug dealers. His uncle was an alcoholic, and he witnessed his father frequently physically abuse his mother. As a 5 year old, he remembers picking up his mother’s teeth in the corner of the street and crying when he saw this.

Then he met a teacher, Eric, who introduced him to rugby and after school homework each day at Grey High School in the Eastern Cape, he would go to training. His grandmother would make him sugared water to get him through his training. Through school, he was awarded a rugby scholarship and having been without socks or shoes all these years, he was ecstatic in receiving his first pair of socks and having his own bed. At the age of 10, his grandmother died in his arms and his mother died six years later in Port Elizabeth's Zwide township.

Reflecting on God’s providence in his life, Siya is convinced ‘God chose me to be the light in my family’ and ‘every day, I pray to God that He would do His work through me’.

In December 2019, Kolisi was named in New African magazine's list of 100 Most Influential Africans. In April 2023, Kolisi was bestowed the National Order of Ikhamanga by the South African Government for his contributions to rugby. In October 2023, Siya Kolisi captained South Africa to a historic fourth Rugby World Cup in Paris, France, and became only the second captain to win the title back-to-back.

Adidas used Siya’s story for its  ‘Impossible Is Nothing’ campaign and a design partnership behind the RS15 boot.

"The design is inspired by my journey; however, it goes beyond just representing me — it symbolises hope for children from the same background as mine. It serves as a reminder that regardless of the challenges we face, 'Impossible is Nothing'," adds Kolisi.

When asked about the inspiration behind the boot, Kolisi says, "The phrase 'I Love Zwide' is penned in my handwriting on the back tab, while the intricate map of the township I proudly call home is integrated into the boot's overall print. The diverse colours woven into the design hold special meanings."