Inspirational Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has opened up on his battles with alcohol between the last two World Cups.
Kolisi has just released an official biography that covers his rise from poverty to lead South Africa’s national rugby team to their third World Cup victory in Japan in 2019.
But four years earlier it was a different story as he got little playing time in the team at the 2015 World Cup in England – he played just two pool matches off the bench – and he battled his demons.
Kolisi says he drank when he was happy or sad, or dealing with something, drinking was the only way he knew to get through this stuff.
In his book Kolisi explained that it was only at the start of 2019 that his wife Rachel persuaded him to find a Christian mentor.
That man, Ben Schoeman, didn’t hold back with his advice to Kolisi.
Kolisi found it difficult but therapeutic.
Kolisi says he started opening up to him and they spoke deeply adding he was told he needed to stop drinking.
He adds it was tough at the beginning but now he does not miss it.
Kolisi told The Guardian that his sporting dream is to see him and his Springboks match Richie McCaw and the All Blacks by defending the World Cup in France 2023.
New Zealand won their second World Cup in 2011 and became the first team to retain it four years later.
[Source: Stuff.co/The Guardian]
