World and Olympic 400m record holder Wayde van Niekerk has hailed Siya Kolisi’s drive after the Springbok skipper was nominated for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year.
Kolisi and the record-breaking Boks are among the four South African representatives to be nominated for the 2024 Laureus World Sport Awards.
His part in South Africa’s success was even more remarkable due to the individual obstacles he had to overcome on the journey to that crowning moment. After a partial tear of his ACL in April 2023, Kolisi’s World Cup dream appeared to be over.
He underwent surgery before embarking on intense rehabilitation and, just 119 days after the operation, the 32-year-old led his country out in their tournament opener against Scotland.
A Laureus ambassador, Van Niekerk on social media shared his admiration for and interactions with Kolisi during his road to recovery.
“So driven and so inspired to show our country what greatness is and what strength looks like.”@WaydeDreamer discusses his admiration for Laureus World Comeback of the Year Nominee and @Springboks captain @SiyaKolisi.#Laureus24 | @RugbyWorldCup | @WorldRugby pic.twitter.com/lIp5TkefS2
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) March 13, 2024
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images