Springbok captain Siya Kolisi Named Most Influential Person in Rugby
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World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has been named as the most influential person in rugby in a list compiled by Rugby World magazine.
The renowned magazine puts the list together ever two years with Kolisi claiming the top spot for 2020 after guiding the Springboks to World Cup glory in Japan last year.
Three other South Africans made the list, with Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus taking sixth place with new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber at 43 and SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux at 15.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi tops Rugby World magazine's list of the most influential people in rugby ➡️ https://t.co/OaU8i2R11h pic.twitter.com/lQL4KQqQic
— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) July 6, 2020
‘Siya Kolisi of South Africa – but now one of rugby’s universal soldiers – stands at No 1 in our most influential list, with Maro Itoje close behind at No 3,’ wrote Stephen Jones in the magazine.
‘Here we have two wonderful men, two men who have always transcended the sport itself, because not only are they both spectacularly good players but they know where the sport fits in the general landscape and are clever enough to be influential away from the rectangle of play.
French Rugby Federation chairman Bernard Laporte has been placed in between Kolisi and Itoje in second place with the pair being the only two players to feature in the Top 10 with coaches Eddie Jones (8) and Warren Gatland (4) both making the top 10 along with Erasmus.
