The Kolisi chronicles: A timeline of triumphs and trials in SA’s rugby royalty

Siya and Rachel Kolisi

Cape Town – South Africa was stunned by the announcement of Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s divorce on Tuesday, 22 October, 2024.

The couple, who had been married since 2016 and were widely regarded as a symbol of unity, shared the news in a joint statement, expressing mutual respect while confirming their decision to part ways.

They emphasised their commitment to co-parenting their two children and requested privacy during this time.

 

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A post shared by Rachel Kolisi (@rachelkolisi)

Siya, the captain of the Springboks rugby team, and Rachel had frequently been in the public eye, making the news of their split even more surprising for fans and supporters.

Here’s a timeline highlighting key moments in their lives.

These moments reflect the couple’s journey of love, family, and mutual growth, punctuated by their children’s births and significant career milestones for Siya.

2012: Siya and Rachel meet

Siya, then a rising rugby star, meets Rachel, who worked as a marketing executive. Their connection grew strong, and they began dating soon after.

2016: Siya and Rachel get married

On August 13, 2016, Siya and Rachel tie the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony. Their relationship continues to grow with mutual support for one another.

 

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A post shared by Siya Kolisi (@siyakolisi)

2015: Birth of their first child, Nicholas Siyamthanda Kolisi

Rachel and Siya welcome their first son, Nicholas, into the world. Siya has often shared how becoming a father motivated him to strive for success on and off the rugby field.

 

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A post shared by Rachel Kolisi (@rachelkolisi)

2017: Birth of their daughter, Keziah Kolisi

In 2017, the Kolisi family grew again with the birth of their daughter, Keziah. Her arrival brought even more joy to the family.

 

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A post shared by Rachel Kolisi (@rachelkolisi)

2018: Siya becomes Springbok Captain

In 2018, Siya made history as the first black captain of South Africa’s rugby team. Rachel was by his side through this significant achievement, providing support during this monumental time in his career.

 

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A post shared by Rachel Kolisi (@rachelkolisi)

In the same year, cracks began to show in Siya and Rachel’s seemingly flawless image, when Rachel publicly called out a fan and local celebrity Lorna Maseko.
The incident occurred after Lorna’s friend mentioned wanting to date a black man, and Siya’s name was brought into the conversation.
Rachel expressed her displeasure, saying: “I watched a local TV show last week where a local ‘celeb’ was encouraging her friend to go on a date with Siya Kolisi.”
rachel kolisi, siya
Image via Twitter: @rachie52
This sparked widespread attention, with Rachel’s reaction revealing growing tensions behind the public image of the couple’s relationship.
Although Rachel didn’t mention any names, Twitter sleuths uncovered the specific clip from the reality TV show Being Bonang.

She later accused fitness model Marike Botha of sending inappropriate photos to Siya, which led to a heated Instagram rant where Rachel declared an end to women tolerating disrespect.
“My face is so red because I am so angry. But I just want to finish off this situation saying this: that the days of women having to take sh*t and deal with sh*t and do nothing about it – are over!” she said.
Marike claimed Siya had initiated contact with her.
Despite this, the couple managed to avoid further public controversies for five years.

2019: South Africa wins Rugby World Cup

One of the couple’s happiest and proudest moments came in 2019 when Siya led the Springboks to victory in the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The emotional win cemented Siya’s place in history, and Rachel’s presence and support made the victory all the more special.

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Picture: X/@LimpopoDaddy

2020: Kolisi Foundation is launched

In 2020, Siya and Rachel co-founded the Kolisi Foundation, which focuses on community upliftment, education, and food security in South Africa. This was another milestone of their shared commitment to making a positive impact together.

2023: Siya joins Racing 92

Siya Kolisi signed with the French rugby club Racing 92 in 2023, marking a new chapter for the family. The move was celebrated as a new adventure for them as they relocated to France.

Second Rugby World Cup Win:

October 28, 2023: Kolisi leads the Springboks to victory in the Rugby World Cup for the second time in his career, winning the final against New Zealand.

Personal challenges:

October 22, 2024: Siya and Rachel Kolisi announce their divorce after more than a decade together, which shocks fans across South Africa and around the world.

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Picture: Instagram/rachelkolisi

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu 

Article written by