South African national rugby player and team captain Siya Kolisi states that it is an ethical responsibility for male athletes to support the development of women in sports. Kolisi mentions that he has a personal interest in helping to grow the women’s game and is not holding back from turning these thoughts into actions.
Over the past few weeks, during the WXV campaign in Cape Town, he has helped with women’s team training sessions and attended their matches. He wore the South African women’s rugby team jersey and posed for photos with both them and opposing players.
Speaking on The Good, The Scaz and The Rugby podcast, he said: “The girls are playing the same sport as me, and they need help right now, so I go and help. That’s how I was raised. Without my community, I wouldn’t be here. Without my grandmother and my aunt, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
At some of the matches played at DHL Stadium, only a few hundred spectators attended the games between rival teams, leaving the 55,000-seat stadium nearly empty. However, there was a bit more interest in the South African national team’s games. Kolisi estimates that there were around 4,000 spectators during their match against the Wallaroos.
According to Kolisi, the WXV matches are extremely important for rugby. “For us men, there are three games in June or July, then the Rugby Championship, and at the end of the year, we have another three or four matches – it can add up to 13 games. The more time we spend together, the better we get, and that’s what the Springbok women need.
“If we support the women’s game, it means rugby is growing. More people are being exposed to the sport – we all benefit from that.”
Kolisi also emphasized that corporate sponsors should support this growing women’s game, as it would create mutual benefits for both sides.