Siya Kolisi Splits with Wife

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel have blown the final whistle on their eight-year marriage, a love story that's had South Africa cheering from the stands. On 22 October, the couple broke the news on social media, posting a heartfelt joint statement. While their relationship as a couple may be changing, they've insisted it's all about mutual respect and understanding.

The Statement

The couple explained that their relationship is evolving and emphasised their commitment to co-parenting and to supporting each other through this transition.

In their statement, Siya and Rachel said, "This decision comes from a place of love, respect, and understanding that this is the best path forward for both of us. While our relationship as a couple is changing, we remain great friends and committed partners in raising our children with the same love and care they've always known."

They requested privacy and understanding from the public as they work through the adjustment.

South Africa's Power Couple

Siya and Rachel Kolisi's relationship began at a dinner party in Stellenbosch in 2012, shortly after one of Siya's matches where he influenced the rugby scores. They quickly bonded, and after dating for four years, they married in 2016 in a scenic ceremony near Stellenbosch. The event was a significant affair attended by several fellow rugby stars, including close friend Tendai "The Beast" Mtawarira.

Over the years, Rachel has stood by Siya as he rose to prominence as the first black captain of the South African national rugby team and led the Springboks to their historic back-to-back 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup victories.

Facing Challenges

The couple has faced their share of challenges in the public eye, often openly addressing issues of racial abuse and personal sacrifices. Rachel left her career as an event manager to focus on their family and philanthropic efforts.

Together, they founded the Kolisi Foundation, a project that addresses social inequality across South Africa, with initiatives focused on community upliftment and providing resources to underserved areas.

Commitment to Philanthropy

Their family has been central to their public image, with the couple sharing two biological children, Nicholas and Keziah, and Siya's younger siblings, whom they adopted after the death of his mother. They noted that their commitment to co-parenting remains strong, and both have agreed to continue collaborating professionally on their shared charitable efforts.

Separation

The separation comes after the family recently returned from a brief relocation to Paris, where Siya had signed a contract with Racing 92, a top French rugby club. However, his desire to play in the 2027 Rugby World Cup led him to cut his time in France short, opting to rejoin the South African Sharks rugby team.

Their move back to South Africa seemed to signal a new chapter for the family, making the news of their separation even more unexpected.

Looking Ahead

Despite calling it quits, the Kolisis aren't dropping the ball on their biggest priorities: co-parenting and keeping their philanthropic work alive. They've gracefully asked for some breathing room from the public, with a touch of gratitude for all the support.

And, as expected, fans have jumped in with a mix of tearful emojis and heartfelt messages, as the Kolisis will always be South African's sweethearts.