Adidas Amplifies Athlete Encouragement Through Plus One Effect Campaign Featuring Sports Icons

Building on the success of the 2024 'You Got This' launch, the 2025 campaign highlights the power of encouragement, revealing that four in five athletes face unhelpful sideline behaviour, which can lead them to leave sports. Rooted in the universal truth that every athlete needs someone in their corner, the campaign highlights how a strong support system can be the difference between success and self-doubt, says adidas. 

In this episode, adidas says it spotlights Captain Siya Kolisi and longtime mentor and coach, Rassie Erasmus.

Known for his resilience, leadership and strength, Kolisi's journey began in the township of Zwide in the Eastern Cape, where rugby was more than a game; it was a path to something greater. From dusty fields to global stages, his rise has been anything but ordinary. Behind every milestone stood Erasmus, the coach who first saw his potential and backed him when it mattered most. Their bond, built on honesty, trust and a shared love for the game, has shaped not only a two-time World Cup-winning captain but also a symbol of hope for a nation, says the brand. 

Kolisi's rugby career is deeply intertwined with Erasmus, who first noticed the eighteen-year-old while scouting talent for Western Province during a match against the Cheetahs. Their connection truly began in 2010 at the Western Province Academy in Stellenbosch. Recognising something special in the young flanker, Erasmus helped secure his first professional contract with the WP U/19 team. Their paths crossed again at national level, and what followed was more than a coach-player relationship; it was a shared journey built on an unwavering commitment to always put the team first, says adidas. 

"I don't know what he saw in me back then, but I'll forever be grateful," says Kolisi. "He's been honest, hard on me at times, but always backed me. He's guided me both on and off the field."

In 2018, Erasmus made the decision to appoint Kolisi as the National Rugby Team captain, a move that helped reshape the national team and capture the attention of an entire country. Together, they've since won two Rugby Championships and lifted the Webb Ellis Cup twice in back-to-back tournaments, adds the brand. 

For Erasmus, backing Kolisi was as much about character as it was about talent. "He was always a speedy flanker with grit and toughness, but it was his humility and hunger to learn that stood out," Erasmus says. "A good leader empowers those around him, including his coaches. Siya never expected special treatment; he took every opportunity, worked hard and never lost anyone's trust, neither the team's nor management's. He's earned everything he's achieved."

"Rugby taught us responsibility and respect," Kolisi says. "It's kept many of us out of trouble. Sport gave us a way out. And that's why I chose Coach Rassie as my Plus One, for everything he's done for me, for what he's helped me become."

For both coach and captain, it's always been about more than just rugby; it's about unity, purpose and leaving a legacy that outlives the final whistle, says adidas. 

'Plus One' is more than an adidas global campaign; it's a tribute to the people who make every win possible. adidas concludes that it aims to spark a global movement of positivity, reminding every athlete that belief starts from the sidelines. After all, we all need someone to make us believe ... you got this!

For more information, visit adidas.com. You can also follow adidas on Facebook or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor