Rachel Kolisi opens up about emotional and financial struggles
Rachel Kolisi has opened up about the emotional and financial struggles she faced after quitting her career to manage a household with children while her then-husband, Siya Kolisi, was often away on rugby tours.
In a clip shared by the TikTok account @947joburg, Rachel reflected on the challenges she encountered during that period. She recalled an incident with a former boss who she said refused to recognise her children’s needs, particularly after her son was born prematurely.
With Siya frequently travelling for rugby commitments, Rachel said she was left to run the household alone. She described the home as feeling like a “boarding school”, with children and some of Siya’s friends living under the same roof.
Rachel said she eventually had to quit her job to focus on raising the children and managing the home. However, the transition from being financially independent to relying on someone else for money was, in her words, “horrific”.
She revealed that she sometimes had to ask for money to buy basic necessities such as pads and shampoo, an experience she said made her feel vulnerable and stripped of her independence.
Her candid remarks have sparked conversation on social media, with many people in South Africa debating financial dependence, gender roles and the unseen pressures often faced by partners of high-profile athletes.
Rachel’s revelations come ahead of the release of her new memoir, Falling Forward, which is set to be published in March 2026. The deeply personal book, co-written with Zibu Sithole, invites readers to move beyond the public narrative and fully embrace their own voice.
The memoir follows Rachel’s journey through childhood, marriage, motherhood and the pressures of living life in the public eye. It explores how moments of falling can become catalysts for renewal, purpose and forward momentum.
Through the book, Rachel shares a story of resilience, self-discovery and rebuilding, offering hope and solidarity to women who have faced similar struggles.
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