Rachel and Siya Kolisi in Cape Town during the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup 2019 Champions Tour on 11 November 2019. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images / Getty Images) Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and his wife, Rachel Kolisi, have announced an end to their marriage in a joint statement shared on their respective Instagram accounts on Tuesday.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1206951999.jpg "Siya Kolisi, captain of Laureus World Team of the Year, the South African men’s rugby team, and his wife Rachel, pictured in Berlin before the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards on 17 February 2020. (Photo: Simon Hofmann / Getty Images for Laureus)")
The pair were into the eighth year of their union, with Rachel in support as he rose to become one of South Africa’s most influential figures. The Kolisis, who have four children, said they had mutually decided to end their marriage.
Read more in Daily Maverick: Why the Kolisi divorce has shaken the nation
“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,” their statement read.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ED_433239.jpg "Siya and Rachel Kolisi at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on 10 February 2023. (Photo: Gallo Images / Lefty Shivambu)")
The two co-founded the Kolisi Foundation in 2020, with a vision of changing narratives of inequality in South Africa. Some of its key focuses include attempting to bring about systemic change through sport and education, as well as addressing gender-based violence and contributing to food security.
In their statement, the couple said they would continue working in tandem on the foundation.
The foundation was born on the eve of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, when they sat in the hotel hallway and discussed their social responsibility following the influence they would gain by winning the Rugby World Cup.
Rachel is the CEO of the Foundation.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WhatsApp-Image-2024-10-22-at-19.53.53_7b9e401a.jpg "(Image: Instagram)")
“We will also continue working together on the foundation that means so much to us. We are grateful for the love, understanding and support you’ve shown us and we kindly ask for your respect as we navigate this transition,” they said.
The Kolisis had just returned to South Africa, with Siya rejoining the Sharks in September, after a frustrating one-year stint with French side Racing 92. DM