Like many divorces, sides are often picked. And it’s no surprise that the same has sadly happened with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel, who recently announced their marriage split.
While the rugby player is likely to have support from his colleagues and fans, Rachel will no doubt count on her nearest and dearest to help her through the difficult time.
RACHEL KOLISI: MEET HER LOOKALIKE SIBLINGS
Rachel Kolisi – whose maiden name is Smith – is likely to lean on her family through her divorce proceedings from her husband, Siya.
This includes her well-known brother, sports agent Joel Smith, who is married to retired swimmer Tatjana Smith (nee Schoenmaker)
Rachel also has three lookalike sisters: Human Resources executive Hannah Tagicakibau, who is married to New Zealand-born rugby player Sailosi Tagicakibua; interior designer Tabitha Parkin, who is based in Cape Town; and Sarah Kispert, who lives in the US.
The sisters, who have a striking resemblance to each other, were “grooms women” at their brother Joel’s wedding last year. All four women wore matching suits.
Images via Instagram:
@sobantu_nqayi
PARENT’S DIVORCE LED HER TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS
Rachel’s parents, Deborah Jamieson and Clive Smith, divorced when she was a teenager.
While Clive remained in South Africa, Rachel’s mom moved to New Zealand.
Speaking in the Mpoomy Ledwaba podcast in 2021, Rachel reflected on her parent’s tough marriage split.
She said: “I know everyone in their teenage years has their own struggles. Mine were because of my parents’ divorce, and we were all involved in that process and dragged in the middle of it a lot.
She continued: “My parents’ divorce was really challenging; I lost my way so much and found myself in unhealthy friendship circles. They would be like, ‘If you’re having a bad day, let’s have a drink or a smoke,’ and that’s the environment I found myself in, and it just spirals. Depression does that.
“I was in a hole, and I just wished that someone would drop down a ladder or a rope.”
Not long after, Rachel attempted suicide. She continued: “At 15, I tried to take my own life. I spent two to three years cutting myself and crying for help but not finding it.”
In the years that followed, Rachel learned to prioritise her mental health. Following her divorce announcement last month, the mother-of-two revealed that she was on a “journey of healing.”
DO YOU THINK RACHEL KOLISI HAS A GOOD SUPPORT STRUCTURE?
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