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Under immense pressure during the 2021 Lions series Springbok captain Siya Kolisi found strength through vulnerability, supported by his wife, Rachel—a bond recently tested as they announced their separation in 2024.
Sometimes even the strongest pillars of inspiration face moments when the weight of expectation becomes almost unbearable.
South African rugby star Siya Kolisi, celebrated for his leadership as Springbok captain, has often stood as a symbol of resilience and pride for South Africa.
But in 2021, during the intense British & Irish Lions series, Kolisi was brought to a breaking point – a moment made even more poignant now, in light of his recent separation from his wife, Rachel Kolisi.
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09:00 - 08.11.2024
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It was the middle of the Lions tour, a high-stakes, high-stress event that gripped South Africa as much as the players themselves.
Following a gut-wrenching 22-17 loss in the first Test, Kolisi felt the immense pressure of not just winning, but of carrying a nation’s hopes and expectations on his shoulders.
“Winning the Lions tour was really good, especially with everything that was happening,” Kolisi recalled as per IOL.
“By the second week, it gets too intense because rugby in South Africa is not just any other sport – people connect with rugby differently in South Africa.”
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19:53 - 07.11.2024
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For Kolisi, the pressures of leading his team seemed insurmountable. Every win was a relief, every loss a burden, intensified by memories of South Africa’s revered rugby history and the country’s passionate connection to the game.
The strain became overwhelming and it led to a moment Kolisi will never forget.
“I was talking to Rachel, and mental health-wise, you get to a point where you’re like, ‘Jissie, it’s so tough that you think if you lose this game, everything is going to end,’” he revealed, recalling the immense mental toll he faced.
During an interview with broadcaster Elma Smit, Kolisi’s emotions surfaced unexpectedly, triggered by a simple question about what he would tell his younger self.
“I just started crying – not because of the question, but because I knew if we lose this game, we’re done. So that was tough. But after that, I released. I called Rachel and I went to the bathroom – I was so embarrassed about crying for no (reason). ‘I’m crying!’ and she said, ‘It’s good, it’s good, let it out,’” Kolisi recounted.
The Springbok captain’s vulnerability highlighted the immense personal cost of representing his country at the highest level.
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14:49 - 07.11.2024
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And as his wife, Rachel Kolisi had always been his emotional anchor, providing steady support and a space for him to release his pent-up fears and frustrations.
Their bond through such difficult times spoke volumes about the strength of their relationship – a bond that, until recently, seemed unbreakable.
Kolisi’s struggles did not end with the Lions series as he felt the pressure yet again in 2022 during the Rugby Championship tour in Australia, where the Springboks faced tough losses against the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
Reflecting on that period, Kolisi shared, “Losing three games in Australia was horrible. Once again, you get reminded … People were like, ‘You guys are just going to be like, remember how we were in 2016, are we going back there?’ But inside, you know that there are a few things that we can fix to win the game, and we did.”
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05:45 - 04.11.2024
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For Kolisi, rugby has always been a uniting force a way to inspire his nation.
But with his recent separation from Rachel, a personal chapter of his life has come to a close.
The foundation she provided through years of both triumphs and hardships will be missed, as will the emotional support she offered during some of the most challenging times of his career.
Today, as he faces new battles both on and off the field Kolisi’s journey is a reminder of the emotional toll that comes with leadership.
And while the Springbok captain moves forward into uncharted territory he does so with the resilience he has shown his country – now standing on his own.
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