By: Natasha Archary

Basetsana Khumalo shared a touching message that Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi sent her eldest son Nkosinathi prior to his knee surgery last year.
Nathi, as his mom loving calls him, tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a soccer game whilst in Grade 11.
The injury is one that most sportsmen experience, and Siya who suffered a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear and damaged meniscus earlier this year, understands all too well.
Basetsana reached out to Siya’s wife, Rachel to request a message of encouragement for her son, and shares that Siya responded in less than a day.
Siya told Nathi to stay positive and told him not to lose faith in his dreams of being a sportsman because he would play again as soon as he recovered from the surgery.
“I just want to wish you all the best with your surgery, I hope it goes well.
I’m so sorry about your injury, it’s one of those things we have to deal with as sportsmen, especially for you when you’re at school.
You know you’re supposed to enjoy it, being so close to your last year, but yeah, just stay strong.
Stay positive, and just keep working hard. Lean on your family who love you dearly, that’s why I’m sending this message, your mom is thinking of you, your whole family is thinking of you, they are with you.
Take as much time as you need to get through what you need to get through. Lean on those who love you a lot, and you will get another opportunity to play again.
You can work as hard as you need to when you get back. I’m thinking of you, I’ve been there too, it is a tough situation but yeah, stay strong.”
Siya Kolisi wished Basetsana’s son well before knee surgery
Basetsana marveled at Siya’s character as Captain of the Boks and as a family man who understood a mother’s request for her son.
Basetsana’s son is now all healed and attended his matric dance in August.
Also read: “You were born to help save mommy” – Sophie Ndaba wishes her son a happy 24th birthday
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