LORD OF THE DANCE

Kolisi and modern Boks have plenty to sing about

- Neil Squires

AS THE Springboks wait in the tunnel at the Stade de France tomorrow night before kick-off against Ireland, there will be something unusual going on.

Siya Kolisi will be singing. Maybe even dancing a little, too. It says a lot about the journey Springbok rugby has travelled from the game of the apartheid regime to the place it holds now as a truly national source of pride that South Africa's captain will be leading his team in a 'gwijo' - a traditional Xhosa folk song.

Raised by his grandmother in the grinding poverty of township, singing Zwide communal was an important his part of upbringing and he uses it now to foster the Bok brotherhood.

"Some people think we sing only when there's a Toyi-toyi [protest]. No. Singing goes far deeper for us," Kolisi said.