Kyle Sinckler's chance run in with Siya Kolisi before the World Cup
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In an interview with AFP about the Rugby World Cup Final, a game he has no recollection of, Kyle Sinckler revealed that he had a chance meeting with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi during the summer leading into Japan 2019.
The 26-year-old England and Harlequins tighthead visited Cape Town with his former Harlequins teammate Tim Swiel.
"We were in a petrol station and it was 11pm. It's the off-season and I wanted some ice cream and this was the best place to get some ice cream," Sinckler said.
"Then Siya walks in - it was really random. He had a knee brace on and he was struggling with his injuries. He said, 'Kyle, what are you doing in Cape Town?'
Sinckler went on to tell the story of how Kolisi took down his number and would take him to a township as well as a braai the next day.
"Siya is such a genuine guy. He took my number and the next day he drove us around and took us to a township.
"He told me about the struggles they have in South Africa and the quota system. In the township we saw kids with no shoes or socks, they had nothing, but were happiest kids in the world.
"He said this is why the system is in place - if it's not then these kids won't get an opportunity and that would never have got an opportunity.
"Siya looked after us, we went to a braai [Afrikaans for barbecue] and he dropped me off at the airport when I was leaving. I just had a feeling that our paths would cross again.
"If anyone was going to win the World Cup, I'm glad it was him. He's such an honourable man."
