Rachel Kolisi: Strength, Grace, and Reinvention

Rachel Kolisi has long been recognised as more than just the former wife of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.

Born Rachel Smith on 2 June 1990 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, she carved her own path, juggling multiple jobs, while studying Event Management at the Stellenbosch Hotel School before transitioning into marketing and event coordination.

After marrying Siya in 2016, Rachel stepped into philanthropy and co-founded “The Rise”, a women’s fitness programme promoting body positivity and strength. Five years later, she helped launch the “Kolisi Foundation”, which is devoted to community upliftment across South Africa.

Out of the spotlight, Rachel has been open about her struggles with depression and attempted suicide during her teens, recalling: “At 15, I tried to take my own life… I was in a hole, and I just wished that someone would drop down a ladder or a rope.”

Her honesty has inspired many to speak about mental health challenges with courage.

Now, Rachel continues to balance motherhood, her studies, and advocacy while embracing a new chapter following her 2024 divorce from Siya. 

In March of 2026, she released “Falling Forward”, a documentary which explores her personal journey of healing, identity, and resilience.

Whether in fitness, charity, or self-discovery, she remains a symbol of resilience and authenticity: a woman continually rising, on her own terms.

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