Rachel Kolisi Explains Why She Will Never Change Her Surname After Divorce

For many South Africans, the name Kolisi is instantly recognisable. It carries the weight of sporting history, resilience and a family story that has unfolded in the public eye for more than a decade.

Now Rachel Kolisi has made it clear that even after her divorce from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, she has no plans to give up the surname that has become part of her identity.

Speaking candidly during a radio interview with Anele Mdoda on 947, the Falling Forward author addressed a question many people have been asking since the couple announced their split in late 2024.

Her answer was simple and firm. The surname stays.

Why The Kolisi Name Still Matters

Rachel explained that the decision is deeply connected to her children and the realities she faces as their mother.

Before marrying Siya, her surname was Smith. Today, she shares the Kolisi surname with their children, son Nicholas and daughter Keziah.

According to Rachel, that shared identity makes everyday life easier, particularly when travelling.

She revealed that she has often faced questioning when moving through airports with her children because of their different racial backgrounds.

Rachel said she is regularly stopped and asked to confirm that the children are hers.

She explained that travelling with children who look different from their parent can already attract scrutiny, and having a different surname would only add another layer of difficulty.

For her, keeping the name is simply practical.

“I am keeping my surname,” she said.

Addressing Rumours About Her Marriage

During the same conversation, Rachel also touched on some of the misconceptions that have surrounded her marriage and life after the divorce.

She pushed back against claims that she had benefited financially from the relationship without contributing.

Rachel shared that she worked multiple jobs over the years, including working as a housekeeper at a Cape Town bed and breakfast earlier in her life.

Her comments were aimed at shutting down accusations that she was a “gold-digger”, a label that has circulated online in the past.

Instead, she said her life story has always involved hard work and building things independently.

A Relationship That Shaped A Family Story

Rachel and Siya’s relationship began more than a decade ago.

The two first met at a dinner party in 2012. A year later they started dating, and by 2016 they had married after welcoming their first child.

Their family grew beyond just the couple and their children.

When Siya’s younger siblings, Liphelo and Liyema, were placed in an orphanage after their mother passed away, the couple stepped in to raise them as their own.

Their daughter Keziah was born in 2017, and the Kolisi household became one of the most well known families in South African sport.

The pair eventually separated in late 2024 after eight years of marriage.

Rachel Focused On Parenting

During the interview, Anele Mdoda also asked Rachel how she would feel about another woman eventually stepping into the role of stepmother to her children.

The question follows reports that Siya Kolisi has been spending time with Dutch influencer Rachel John.

Rachel’s response was calm and measured.

She said her focus is on being the best parent she can be, and that anything beyond that is not her concern.

For Rachel Kolisi, the future appears centred on family, personal growth and continuing to tell her own story on her own terms.

And when it comes to her name, that chapter is not changing anytime soon.

{Source:The South African}

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