Just a few months ago, South Africa's Springboks brought home the win at the 2019 Rugby World Cup after beating England 32-12. Led by team captainSiya Kolisi, the first Black captain of the national rugby team, it was a moment that inspired genuine hope for many South Africans living within a politically uncertain landscape.

More recently, Kolisi has been named the 2019 Personality of the Year by the Rugby Union Writers' Club (RUWC), according to eNCA.

The RUWC's shortlist of nominees was dominated by South African players. In addition to Kolisi, head coach Rassie Erasmus and scrum-half Faf de Klerk also made the list alongside Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones and Japan's Michael Leitch.

Taking to social media to thank fans for their continued support, Kolisi said:

"Thank you so much for this award. I'm really honored to be accepting this award. It's a huge honor and privilege on behalf of me and obviously my teammates, without them I wouldn't have achieved this. I just want to say on behalf of South Africa, thank you for supporting rugby and supporting us as a country as well...It's good to see that rugby is being recognized and the game is growing...This is not just for me and my teammates and South Africa, it's for all rugby players around the world. Let's keep growing the game."

Last year, Kolisi was also awarded the People's Choice Sports Star during the 2019 South African Sports Awards.