Siya Kolisi nominated for BBC sports award

Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi could cap off a fairytale year with the BBC Sports Star of the Year award.

The 28-year-old became the first black captain to lead South Africa to a Rugby World Cup triumph, when they beat England in the final in November.

He has been nominated for the award along with some big names in the sports community.

BBC Sport Star of the Year nominees

Kolisi has some stiff competition for the accolade, with some big personalities also getting the nod.

Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge made history earlier in the year by breaking the two-hour barrier in a marathon. He achieved the feat soon after winning the London Marathon for a record fourth time.

Also nominated is Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, who claimed her 19th world title earlier in the year. Aged just 22, she has already collected five world championships.

Golf legend Tiger Woods is another one up for the big award after he broke an 11-year wait for a major title. The 43-year-old has equalled the PGA Tour record of 82 title wins.

They are up against Australian cricketer, Steve Smith, who returned from a cheating ban to help his side retain The Ashes against England.

The other nominee is USA women’s footballer Megan Rapinoe, who was instrumental in her country’s successful campaign in the Fifa Women’s World Cup in France earlier in the year. The 34-year-old claimed the golden boot in the tournament and was named the leading women’s player at the Best Fifa Football Awards.

How Siya Kolisi scored a nomination

Kolisi rounds up the list after making history at the Rugby World Cup.

Officially named captain for the first time in 2018, he led the Boks to a series win against England in June that year. 

He was back, after a short injury spell, to take charge as South Africa went in pursuit of a third win in rugby’s premier competition.

England were one again on the losing side as the Springboks scored a convincing 32-12 win in the final to lift the Webb-Ellis trophy once more – this time with a black captain doing the honours.

About Kolisi, the BBC wrote:

“The flanker was praised for his leadership in Japan and helping to unify a nation despite a difficult social and political backdrop.”

Voting for the awards closes on Friday, 6 December.