SOME people are just built differently. Made to stand out. Made to make an impact and light up a room wherever they go.
You know the type - the person who travels halfway across the world just to be with his new teammates without even getting to play in his new jersey.
New Stormers recruit Siya Kolisi is that guy.
The Springbok captain proved as much at the weekend, turning up in Ireland, as his new team prepared for their opening United Rugby Championship (URC) match against Connacht.
“As soon as he found out he wasn’t playing [for the Springboks against Australia on Sunday], he asked if he could join us,” said Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani of Kolisi, who joined from the Sharks at the start of the new season.
“The Springboks, thankfully, allowed him to come join us and spend a bit of time getting to know some of the youngsters [in the squad], and we were quite happy with that.”
The impression Kolisi made on his new teammates is one that will stay with them for a long time.
Despite not playing in the match, he warmed up with them and got involved from the get-go.
“It was so cool [to have Siya joining us],” said a wide-eyed Hacjivah Dayimani in an online media conference from Ireland yesterday.
“The week before, preparation [for the weekend] was normal — we didn’t know he was coming, and he opted to come and support and train and wanted to get involved.
“We saw him in the team meeting. It was super cool for us - we felt the energy from the moment he walked in.
“He was trying to get the chaps up and bring positivity. From training until after the game, it was special - especially before the game, where he spoke to the guys and said, ‘Do not stress or tense up.’
“It was really cool for us to see him joining us with that experience. A lot of the guys look up to him and look forward to playing with him.”
Kolisi’s magic worked a treat as the Stormers beat Connacht 29-15. And while the Stormers camp is mum on whether he will be involved in Friday’s match against Edinburgh in Scotland, there is no doubt that his presence will already be a boost to his teammates.
“What he really wanted to do was bond with the guys,” added Hlungwani.
“The best way to bond is when you’re on tour. It’s really good for the players to see he is not this Springbok captain, superstar-type player who’s coming to join them, but a humble player who is just like any of them, willing to work hard, willing to belong, willing to get accepted by the team and using actions to get that right …”
Kolisi is indeed that type of person - the one who will stop traffic just to say hello to you on the other side of the street.
He goes the extra mile.
“It showed in how he travelled from Perth to Dubai, then Dubai to Dublin and then took a bus [to get to the team] - it just shows the type of guy he is, and it’s something that we all respect and appreciate,” added Hlungwani.
“It brings a team together even more and shows this guy is hungry to play for the Stormers. He is a very good example, and I hope a lot of boys can learn from that.”