There’s even more reason to celebrate the Springboks and their clans, as ‘first lady’ Rachel Kolisi – wife to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi – reached her 34th spin around the sun on Sunday.
Rachel, who is co-founder & CEO of the Kolisi Foundation, as well as a student, mom, wife, speaker and director, celebrated her 34th birthday on Sunday, shortly after returning home to Paris after a brief stint in Cape Town for work at The Kolisi Foundation –an organisation started by the Kolisi couple, seeking to support people living in under-resourced communities in South Africa.
Rachel – who was born and raised in Grahamstown and later relocated to Cape Town with family – started her career as a marketing executive in Cape Town before taking on events managing and later, RISE – a five-week fitness program set up by Rachel and Tammy Rawstro.
Then, in 2019, after the Rugby World Cup, Siya and Rachel started the Kolisi Foundation together, with the vision of changing stories of inequality in South Africa to see thriving communities.
The couple, who now reside in France, are still at the helm of the foundation. Even when living half the world away, the first lady and her Springbok champ are dedicated to making a difference in South Africa – from providing food security to tackling gender-based violence and furthering education and sports development in underprivileged communities.
Beyond being a powerhouse driving the narrative of change in South Africa, Rachel is also a student and a loving wife who provides unconditional support to her husband, Siya Kolisi, who has just joined France’s rugby team, Racing 92. Plus, she’s a stellar mom to the couple’s four kids – Nicholas, Keziah, Liyema and Liphelo.
Despite all the pressure that comes with constantly being in the public eye, Rachel does a phenomenal job at inspiring those around her while staying humble and grounded. We couldn’t be more proud of our first lady – here’s to wishing her a very happy birthday!
SEE: Five times Rachel Kolisi proved she’s a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)
In celebration of Rachel, we’re celebrating five times Rachel proved that she’s a powerhouse – both at home and in her career!
She knows her chops
With a hubby who runs a demanding schedule, it’s no surprise that Rachel sometimes needs to handle the arduous home tasks solo – such as mowing the lawn! Don’t underestimate her, though – the girl learned her chops growing up in Grahamstown:
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She always shows up
She shows up in full support! In December 2022, Siya took to Instagram to share a family picture after his baby brother Liyema’s initiation process. In the photograph, Rachel and Siya are seen sporting traditional Xhosa garb, gathered in support of the young man.
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She moved halfway across the world with kids in tow
Just before the heat of 2023’s Rugby World Cup – when Siya was in strict training and prep for the upcoming games that would secure the Springboks’ RWC victory – Rachel packed up the Kolisis’ lives and moved halfway across the world to the family’s new home in Paris, with the kids in tow.
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Her unwavering support for Siya
As Siya himself says, Rachel is his rock. Beyond keeping the family in check while the rugby captain wins World Cups, Rachel always shows up in full support of her man. In previous comments, Siya has credited his successes to the prayers of his wife.
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She strives to inspire other women
Through her speaking events, her work through the Kolisi Foundation and even in her kind-hearted words to others on social media, Rachel is always about lifting other women up.
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