‘I needed permission’: Rachel Kolisi on asking Siya for money [video]

Rachel Kolisi has opened up about being financially reliant on her ex-husband, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, during the early stages of their romance.

The philanthropist, who is on her nationwide Falling Forward book tour and documentary premiere, shared the comments in an interview on 947.

Rachel and Siya officially announced their split in 2024. The rugby star has since moved on with a relationship with a woman a decade younger than him.

RACHEL KOLISI ON ASKING SIYA KOLISI FOR MONEY

Speaking to Anele Mdoda, Rachel Kolisi touched on her divorce from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, which became a catalyst for change in all spheres of her life. She also reflected on what happened before and after their marriage.

The mother-of-two revealed that she had been forced to give up her independence to care for her firstborn son, Nicholas, and Siya’s siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, whom she had taken in.

At the time, Rachel was a newlywed who had worked in a local bed and breakfast in Cape Town. 

After clashing with her employer over time off – and with Siya away on tour for months on end – she decided to quit her job.

She said: “It was one of the most horrific decisions for me. Because it meant when I needed pads, tampons, shampoo, I had to ask permission [from Siya] for money to be deposited”.

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SIYA: ‘I SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON ALCOHOL’

Rachel Kolisi’s candid conversation about having no money comes a few years after her ex, Siya, shared his own past struggles in his 2023 memoir, Rise.

In it, he wrote about gambling, visiting strip clubs, and partying with pals, all while neglecting Rachel and their family.

He shared: “There were times in our early days when Rachel paid for our dates because I had spent all my money on alcohol. And I was earning good money as a pro player”.

In 2015, just months after Rachel had given birth to their first child, Nicholas, Siya flew to England to play in the World Cup.

He was not a regular fixture in the squad and claimed he used his time off to drink himself into oblivion.

He wrote in the book: “Rachel [my wife] had come out with baby Nick, and this would have been the perfect opportunity to spend some time with them. But no, I preferred to be out with the boys.

“It was an awful time for her, and I was too selfish to realise. In the end, Rachel got fed up with me being a jerk and flew home a week early.”

He added, “Rachel had had enough. If it had been an isolated incident, that would have been one thing, but it wasn’t.”

RACHEL KOLISI FALLING FORWARD

Rachel Kolisi is currently on her Falling Forward nationwide roadshow, which includes the documentary premiere and the memoir release, both kicking off this week.

Also in March, Rachel will speak at the Forbes Women Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre. 

The philanthropist has been invited to talk in her capacity as an advocate for women’s rights and as a social impact leader.