In a strange twist of tech and trickery, scammers have turned to artificial intelligence to impersonate one of South Africa’s most beloved sports heroes—Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.
A bizarre AI-generated video of Kolisi has surfaced, leaving fans both amused and concerned.
Fake Investment Pitch Shocks Fans
The AI video, which circulated on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), shows a highly convincing version of Kolisi encouraging people to join a suspicious investment scheme.
But here’s the catch—it’s not really him.
In the clip, the fake “Kolisi” speaks in a thick Nigerian accent, urging viewers to invest R4,400 with the promise of earning a staggering R100,000.
“I guarantee that everyone who registers this month and invests the minimum amount… will be able to earn their first hundred thousand,” the deepfake confidently claims.
The imposter goes on to say, “I have no need to lie.
I use this project myself… it’s completely transparent, legal, and has helped thousands of people already.”
To top it off, “proof” is promised to further lure potential victims.
Public Reactions Range From Laughter to Concern
While some South Africans saw the humour in the obviously fake video—especially given the exaggerated accent—others were genuinely worried that unsuspecting fans might fall for it.
So far, Siya Kolisi hasn’t commented on the scam.
But his image being used in this way highlights how deepfake tech is being weaponised for fraud in increasingly convincing ways.
Not the First Time Springboks Were Targeted
Unfortunately, this isn’t a new tactic.
Back in 2019, coach Rassie Erasmus was also caught up in a scam when cybercriminals used fake articles and photos to push a bogus investment scheme.
At the time, SA Rugby stepped in with a clear warning: “Rassie – or any other Springbok personality – does not want your money, is not giving you investment advice, and is certainly not behind any business scheme.”
They urged the public to stay alert and steer clear of such scams.
A Reminder to Stay Sharp Online
With fake videos and bogus claims popping up more frequently thanks to AI, it’s never been more important to double-check before believing—or investing in—anything shared online.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
And if Siya Kolisi ever does offer you investment advice, you can bet it won’t be through a random AI video with a dodgy accent.