More than a year after Siya Kolisi and his wife, Rachel Kolisi, confirmed that they were going their separate ways, the breakdown of their marriage continues to attract public attention across South Africa. The former couple, once celebrated as a symbol of love, resilience and partnership, remain firmly in the spotlight as both navigate life after their separation in very different ways.
The Springboks captain’s recent public outings with another woman, who also happens to be named Rachel, have reignited conversations around the divorce. Photos and sightings of Siya in social settings with his new companion have circulated widely on social media, fuelling speculation and debate among fans who have followed his personal life just as closely as his rugby career.
While Siya has largely kept quiet about his private affairs since the announcement of the divorce, Rachel Kolisi has chosen a more open and reflective path. Since October 2024, when the couple confirmed their plans to divorce, she has used her platforms to share snippets of her healing journey, offering an honest look into the emotional toll of the separation.
This week, Rachel, a fitness enthusiast, businesswoman and philanthropist, shared a quiet yet powerful moment with her followers on TikTok. The video showed her sitting on the beach, reading a book, with the calm surroundings mirroring the message she was trying to convey. The caption struck a chord with many: “I choose peace, I choose love, I choose happiness. Today, I choose me.” She followed it with a reflection that hinted at the difficult road behind her, adding: “And goodness was it a journey to get here.”
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The post quickly drew praise and support from fans, many of whom applauded her for choosing self-love and inner peace amid public scrutiny. Messages flooded the comments section, with supporters commending her strength, vulnerability and willingness to show up authentically during what has clearly been a painful chapter in her life.
Rachel’s openness has not been limited to social media posts alone. In December last year, she gave fans a preview of her much-anticipated documentary, Falling Forward, which promises a deeper and more personal exploration of her life following the separation. The documentary, still to be released in full, centres on her emotional struggles, self-reflection and the pressure of living up to public expectations.
In the trailer, the 35-year-old speaks candidly about the image she felt compelled to maintain while quietly falling apart behind the scenes. “I’ve been in front of hundreds, sometimes thousands of people and a lot of the topics would be around living a balanced life. How do you do it all? How are you this amazing wife, this amazing mom, this social woman? You’re working out, you have this amazing business and career and foundation. And how do you just manage it all? And the truth is, I didn’t, I didn’t manage it.”
She goes on to acknowledge the deep sense of failure and brokenness that followed the end of her marriage. “And a part of me now feels like I failed. And what that’s led me to is a point that I’m broken,” she says in the trailer. The raw honesty of her words resonated with many viewers, particularly women who related to the pressure of having to appear strong and put together while silently struggling.
Rachel and Siya share two children, and throughout her public reflections, she has often emphasised the importance of healing not only for herself, but for her family as well. Supporters have noted that her posts focus less on blame and more on personal growth, acceptance and finding peace in the aftermath of loss.
Meanwhile, Siya’s movements have not gone unnoticed. Over the festive season, the rugby star was spotted holidaying in Zimbabwe with the other Rachel, further adding fuel to ongoing conversations about how quickly he appears to have moved on. The sightings sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans defending his right to rebuild his life, while others expressed sympathy for his ex-wife, who has been more visibly processing the end of their marriage.
Despite the constant public commentary, Rachel Kolisi has continued to centre her narrative on healing and self-discovery rather than engaging in speculation about her former husband’s new relationship. Her recent TikTok post and documentary preview suggest a woman determined to reclaim her sense of self after years of prioritising others.
As the story continues to unfold, it is clear that the Kolisi separation is no longer just about the end of a marriage, but about two individuals choosing different paths forward. For Rachel, that path appears to be rooted in reflection, vulnerability and self-love. For Siya, it has meant stepping into a new chapter under the watchful eye of a nation that remains deeply invested in both their lives.
For now, public interest shows no sign of fading, but Rachel’s message remains clear: peace, love and happiness start with choosing oneself, even when the journey to get there is far from easy.
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