He is South Africa's answer to the All Blacks' haka and after three tests as the isiZulu warrior running out in front of the Springboks, Sibusiso Kotelo is ecstatic about this “100% win” record.
The 135kg professional bodybuilder hails from Durban but moved to Johannesburg nine years ago.
“I grew up in Lamont township near Durban, and I am a passionate fan and friend of the Springboks,” he said.
“I am a professional bodybuilder, and I turned pro in 2018 in the Philippines. I am the first black South African to ever get an IFBB [International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation] pro card.”
Three years ago Kotelo, standing 1.86m barefoot while waving his assegai and weighing in at 135kg, was approached by Saru.
“They needed someone with real size to run out in front of the Boks. It is a thing of many parts. It is entertainment, it is showbiz glitz and glamour, but it is also a really big guy with a spear telling the opposition, ‘I am here, I have the Boks' backs. To get to them you will have to go through me,’” Kotelo said.
At the time, Kotelo could not assist.
“I was busy with bodybuilding abroad. A friend of mine, Daniel Matloga, stepped in and handled the responsibilities until this year when Saru approached me again. I made my debut when the Boks played New Zealand in Johannesburg — we won 31-27. Then I travelled to Cape Town — again for New Zealand and we beat them 18-12. My last Test match for the year was against Argentina in Mbombela after the Boks lost to them the previous week in Argentina. In Mbombela the Boks won 48-12,” Kotelo said.
“With me next to them they have been unbeaten. People are telling me I should have gone with the Boks to Argentina and to Durban for the Irish. Then the Boks would've had a 100% season,” Kotelo laughs.
He believes the Boks also draw energy from him.
“When Siya [Kolisi] and the boys come out of that tunnel, I am the first person they see on the field. We are unified. Rugby is now as unified as Madiba's dreams were. Yes, the haka is a cultural phenomenon, but it can also be seen as a form of cultural intimidation. I am the answer to that.”
A special moment stands out.
“In Cape Town, the timing with our performance and the Boks coming out was perfect, but in Joburg, the doors took longer to open, and there was this period after we finished when nothing happened and the Boks were not coming yet.
Nothing about the picture that was taken of that moment was orchestrated. I love that picture. It is so perfect.
“Suddenly I saw Siya. In that second, I remembered one of Saru's guys telling me earlier that I must feel and use the energy of the spear, the energy of the crowd and the energy of the Boks.
“I pointed my spear at Siya and pulled him towards me before I shot him at the All Blacks. The entire motion just screamed “Go kill!' Together we encapsulate the strength of a nation,” Kotelo told the Sunday Times.
He goes quiet for a moment.
“Nothing about the picture that was taken of that moment was orchestrated. I love that picture. It is so perfect. Even the All Blacks who stood in a sort of arc instead of the normal straight line, were framed perfectly in the background.”
It isn't only the opposition and the crowd that are intimidated by his bulk.
Kotelo laughs.
“After the Joburg Test against the All Blacks I saw Cheslin Kolbe and Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu looking at me. They both just said, 'Dear Lord, you're big.' Bongi Mbonambi told me they boys have spoken about me and said I inspire them. Coach Sticks thanked me for the 'gees' I bring,” the proud warrior explains.
In Mpumalanga he got to mingle with the team after the match.
“It was an incredible privilege just to hang out for a while with the heroes of our nation. This is not only the best Springbok team of all time, it is the best rugby team of all time. The world might not agree now, but let's talk again in 12 years.”
Kotelo is 33 years old. “The same age as Eben and Siya. I think those two are the nation's favourite friendship. Or bromance if you will. Those two are joined at the hip and they show us what a true South African friendship looks like if you put aside your differences and just celebrate the bits that do work.”
When not in the gym or with the Boks on the field, you will find Kotelo at home.
“I am a bit of a home body. I recently got married and love spending time at home with my wife and my two sons, both two years old — hey, it's complicated,” Kotelo grins naughtily.
He is not above a cold one with old friends.
“Whenever I'm in Durbs I let the boys know then we meet for some cold ones, but the rest of the time you will find me with my family.”
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