As Springbok captain Siya Kolisi prepares to lead his world champion team against the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium this Saturday, all eyes are not only on the rugby field but also on the stands, with many wondering whether his ex-wife, Rachel Kolisi, will be in attendance.
This match, the first of its kind on South African soil, not only marks a pivotal moment for rugby fans, but places Rachel squarely in the public eye as she navigates her high-profile divorce from Bok captain Siya.
The Kolisi family has been a familiar sight at Springbok matches in previous years, with Rachel and their four children routinely cheering from the stands. However, following the announcement of their divorce last October, described as a mutual decision founded on respect and a shared commitment to parenthood, the dynamics have shifted considerably.
With Rachel stepping down from her role within the Kolisi Foundation and taking the organisation to the CCMA earlier this year, tensions could be high, further fueling speculation about her presence at the game.
In the past, Rachel has not shied away from expressing her pride in Siya’s achievements, including the Springboks’ triumphant World Cup victory in 2019.
In an interview on the Wide Awake podcast in 2022, she reflected on that memorable final, calling it “one of the most special moments in my life”.
She said: “Winning, of course, was amazing, but also just being a part of an event like that is such a privilege. You know, in 2007 when we won the previous World Cup, I was 17 years old, I remember exactly where I was sitting, who I was watching with, what we did after the game. I remembered all of that. And it was just surreal to me that in 2019, just 12 years later, I was going to be watching a World Cup final again, but this time married to the Springbok captain, with my children there. It’s just crazy what happens in life. You never know where life will take you and what God has in store for you. What was important for me [during that time] was to create a space for Siya where he felt normal even in all this chaos… Just a space where he can decompress.”
For years, Rachel Kolisi stood beside Siya Kolisi, the Springboks captain, supporting his career. She travelled the world, raised their kids, and put her dreams on hold. Many fans saw her as a stay-at-home wife, always in the background. But now, Rachel is showing the world that she’s much more. After her recent divorce, critics predicted she would crumble.
However, Rachel is rising, stronger and more focused than ever. She’s reclaiming her spotlight, not as someone’s wife, but as her own woman. And she’s not slowing down — she’s thriving.
In just one week, Rachel Kolisi announced two major brand partnerships. First, she joined Clarins South Africa as a brand ambassador. “Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pause – and pour into yourself,” she shared. That statement spoke volumes about her journey toward self-love and independence.
A few days later, she sealed another partnership with Jetour South Africa. She shared, “Very excited and very grateful to be part of the @jetour_south_africa family!” Her face beamed with confidence beside her new car.
Rachel is building her brand, proving critics wrong. She’s a force in the socialite world, with back-to-back wins. No longer defined by marriage, she’s setting her own pace. She’s independent, bold, and clearly in her “Full Cup” era.
In December 2024, Rachel travelled alone to Botswana for the first time in order to explore her feelings and accept her new situation amid her pending divorce from Siya.
Rachel shared that February had been showing her flames and how she was then currently working on a few projects she would be sharing soon. Some of her fans found the posts humorous, while others could connect to them more deeply.
“I can’t believe this is my life. The amount of times I’ve said this in the last week (both for good and hard reasons) is wild. Feb is showing me flames and working on so many good things with so many good people!! Can’t wait to share!,” wrote Rachel in February.
The pair got married in 2016 after four years of dating.
Meanwhile, Siya Kolisi recently took Roger Federer on a tour of a village in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. Kolisi shared a video of the visit on social media, where he was seen showing Federer around the area.
As the Springboks prepare to take the field, the question of Rachel's presence remains unanswered, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated match. Whether she chooses to attend or not, all eyes will be on Rachel Kolisi as she continues to navigate her new chapter, proving that she is a force to be reckoned with in her own right.
Follow Us on Twitter
