Kolisi became more than a man the moment he hoisted rugby's greatest prize, four years ago in Japan.
Long since a symbol of hope and success for anyone trying to thrive in South Africa's townships, on November 2, 2019, Kolisi shouldered an even greater responsibility.
The Zwide-born back-row forward found a way out of poverty, hunger and danger - through the hardest of graft, enduring love and humility to that 32-12 World Cup Final triumph over England.
The 32-year-old has never let that burden weigh him down. Among all the accolades, the charity foundation, raising his own family and continuing his storied rugby career, perhaps that alone underscores his greatness.
Those without birthright have no use for privilege.
Kolisi is already using his status for good, for change. And a country always conflicted on its future path will doubtless cry out for him to move into politics.
Twickenham erupted in an unmatched roar when Kolisi's face was beamed onto the big screens after South Africa thrashed New Zealand 35-7 in west London last month.
This modern icon long ago transcended rugby. But then he outdid even his great self by recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in four months.
This is preposterous, and yet, has actually happened.
If Kolisi wants any respite from his miracle-man status, the Sharks flanker is going about it all wrong.
A standard hamstring-graft ACL rehabilitation is nine months, while some can stretch to a year.
Esta historia es de la edición September 07, 2023 de Evening Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 07, 2023 de Evening Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Who is to blame for the lack of elite English managers?
Replacing Tuchel with a homegrown candidate will be no easy task
Who your club will sign and sell in the January market
Kolo Muani has more than one interested club in London, while there are big names unsettled and looking to move
The debt disaster threatening to leave Londoners without a drop to drink
Crisis-hit Thames Water could go under in days
Is 2025 the year of the first-time buyer?
This could be your best chance to buy a home in more than a decade here's where to look
Kick back in the Caribbean BodyHoliday, Saint Lucia
Green juices, beach workouts and supercharged facials: more and more of us are swapping piña coladas and indulgent food for a healthier, but no less glamorous, holiday.
Dishoom's Kavi Thakraron why Mumbai is his inspiration
The best street food, fantastic markets and bars where the hours just disappear...the restaurateur shares his guide
On the sauce - Adiamondis forever, after all
Double Diamond was supposedly Prince Philip’s favourite beer. He’s said to have enjoyed a bottle, nightly.
At the table - Queen of W1 expands empire with chic Italian
I understand it's not the done thing to compare restaurateurs to murderous mob bosses, given it's rude and, well, they're notoriously litigious. But when I think of Samyukta Nair, sometimes I hear Jack Nicholson's mutterings in The Departed, Martin Scorsese's Boston gangster flick. \"I don't want to be a product of my environment,\" Nichol- son says. \"I want my environment to be a product of me.\"
The Royal Academy's masterful show and mind-expanding surrealist paintings
Known for his intricate and stunning handmade tapestries, Siributr creates these vast hangings to explore his native Thailand past and present.
Review - Adrien Brody's power and depth shine in this colossal epic
The Brutalist, director Brady Corbet’s third feature, is a movie of such colossal size and scope it may well have been carved from marble; an epic paean to the immigrant experience in America in the wake of the Second World War.
