Siya Kolisi

After only one season at Racing 92, Kolisi faced public criticism from owner Jacky Lorenzetti, who described him as having gained weight and sometimes being "invisible" or insufficiently committed. The remarks provoked controversy in South Africa and support for Kolisi from his sporting circle. The player and club subsequently negotiated an early termination, and he returned to the Sharks.

State of the evidence

Documented

Kolisi recounted in his autobiography and to the Guardian that he had used alcohol and excessive nightlife as an escape, visited strip clubs, watched pornography and engaged in unfaithful or destructive behaviour in his relationship. He explained that a mentor and his faith had prompted him to stop drinking and profoundly reform his conduct.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Directly implicated

Kolisi said that he would not want to be selected because of his skin colour and believed that Nelson Mandela would not have supported racial quotas in sport. The chair of Parliament's Sports Committee called his remarks "unfortunate" and potentially insensitive to the historical context of transforming South African rugby.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated

During the Test against Scotland at Murrayfield in November 2018, Kolisi struck Peter Horne with his head during play. World Rugby's citing commissioner considered the incident just below the red-card threshold and issued an official warning that would remain on his disciplinary record; he was therefore able to play the following match.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated