The impact and legacy of Siya Kolisi continues to be solidified across the country, and in the latest honour bestowed upon the Springbok captain, the North-West University has officially opened the Siya Kolisi Residence.

The Siya Kolisi Residence will primarily be used by students affiliated with the NWU Rugby Institute, with Invictus being a multi-sport residence.

NWU stated that this move was made in pursuit of celebrating leadership, resilience, and sporting excellence.

In delivering a speech at NWU, Kolisi encouraged students to embrace every opportunity, while he was also accompanied by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who shared his hopes for their future.

YOU CAN SEE THE SPECIAL MOMENT AS THE SIYA KOLISI RESIDENCE WAS OPENED BELOW:

Kolisi reminded the students of the Siya Kolisi Residence in attendance that their blessings are to be shared and that they must keep working hard, no matter the obstacles in front of them.

“No one ever dreams to have moments like this, to have a building named after them. I am so honoured and grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey. I am standing on the shoulders of many people who helped me be where I am today.

“Your opportunities are not just for you. Your blessings are not just for you,” he said.

“I know that you all are on a journey and that you want to become rugby players. But, remember that you are more than that. You have an opportunity to study, and I wish that I used that opportunity. I didn’t. Rugby is not always going to work for everybody, so make use of all your opportunities. If you want to take anything from my journey it is that you have to believe in yourself before anyone else.

If you fail, you have to get up and don’t stay down. You have to keep on getting up. The more you get up, the more you learn. Just be good people. I haven’t always been the best example, but I am learning every day. Be kind to one another. Be there for one another.

“Don’t try to be cool, to be the cool kid. I’ve done that, it is not awesome. Just be kind and be a good human being, because you never know where life can take you,” Kolisi concluded.

 Erasmus, who received an honorary doctorate from the NWU in 2024, said he is privileged to be part of a university that thinks outside the box, and expressed his desire to see both the residences go from strength to strength.

He also implored the students from Invictus Residence to give it their all in the pursuit of their dreams.

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/watch-siya-kolisi-student-res-officially-opened-at-nwu/