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Sonny Bill Williams' verdict on Kolisi inspiring youths in poverty
By Liam Heagney
Former All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has outlined what pictures of Siya Kolisi holding the Webb Ellis Cup can potentially do for impoverished youths. The Springboks skipper had regularly spoken about his own humble beginnings before becoming a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with last Saturday’s win for South Africa over New Zealand.
It was in the wake of this 12-11 victory in Paris that Williams, a 2015 World Cup winner with the All Blacks, tweeted about how gutted he was for New Zealand coming up short, a message that also included congratulations for the Springboks.
“Man, I’m gutted for my All Black brothers. To come up short like that hurts. Hold your head high boys,” he wrote, adding: “Congratulations to our South African brothers! The thing I love about this team’s success is what it does for the country, especially those in poverty.”
Williams' poverty reference prompted a question from one of his followers: “What exactly does it do for those in poverty, SBW?”
What followed was a quick step through Williams' own humble upbringing and how he was inspired by the Pasifika athletes of that time. He reckoned the impact this had on him was similar to the effect that Kolisi’s success is having on some of today’s youth.
“I grew up in a housing commission household with no wallpaper on it, my dad was a labourer and my uncles were gang members,” began Williams in his reply to the question as to what South Africa’s win could do for people in poverty.
“My mother dropped out of school at 13. Not surprising, I wasn’t a kid full of self-worth/confidence. I know I gained a lot of confidence and motivation from seeing Pacifica athletes that looked like my dad and uncles playing professionally.
“I wanted to be like them so I could buy mum a house with wallpaper on it. Inspiration comes from a lot of things, sir. In my humble opinion, I believe the picture of Kolisi holding the Webb Ellis Cup is definitely doing that for some of those youth.”
In a separate tweet referencing how Jacques Nienaber sought out Rassie Erasmus when South Africa were being presented with the Webb Ellis Cup at Stade de France, Williams suggested: "There is so much New Zealand and Australian rugby can learn from the South Africans in regards to cultural representation in every area of the game, not just on the playing field. It’s no wonder they are world champions both on and off the field."
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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