Siyathanda ‘Siya’ Kolisi is a celebrated South African professional rugby player who captains the national team, the Springboks. Siya Kolisi also plays for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
With an illustrious career spanning years, Siya Kolisi has fast become one of the most celebrated rugby players in the world. He stars as a flanker and a loose forward.
In 2018, he went down in the history books of South African rugby when he was appointed the first black player to captain the Springboks.
Against his big wins, the publication has connected the dots about Siya Kolisi, who has fast become a global icon thanks to his big wins in the green and gold jersey and his remarkable philanthropic contributions off the pitch.
SIYA KOLISI: SPRINGBOKS CAPTAIN’S EARLY LIFE
Siya Kolisi was born on 16 June 1991 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The 35-year-old star grew up in Zwide, iBhayi, a township in Port Elizabeth.
Siya Kolisi’s mother, Phakama, died when the star was only 15 years old, leaving his grandmother, Nolulamile, to raise him. He had his foot into rugby when he was just 12 years old after he impressed scouts at a youth tournament in Mossel Bay.
His stellar performance during the tournament saw him being offered a scholarship at Grey Junior in Port Elizabeth. However, he later switched to the senior team at Grey High School after he was offered another scholarship.
Siya Kolisi was a regular in the starting team and was also part of the Eastern Province Kings youth setup. Between 2007 and 2009, he starred in a string of tournaments, which included the Under-16 Grant Khomo week.
He also participated in the Under-18 Craven Week before switching to the west to join Western Province.
Siya Kolisi’s big wins during his youth career saw him representing the South Africa national Under-18 rugby union team for two consecutive years.
CLUB AND INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Siya Kolisi made his senior debut for Western Province in the 2011 Vodacom Cup against the Golden Lions.
In 2012, he graduated to the Stormers squad. He made over 110 appearances for the club and scored over 90 points during his stint.
Siya Kolisi joined the Sharks from the Stormers in 2021. He made over 20 points in 30 appearances for the club during his three-year spell with the club.
The Springboks captain made headlines in January 2023 when he signed for Top 14 side Racing 92 from the Sharks. He joined the club that year after his big win at the 2023 World Cup, hosted by France.
In 2024, he returned to the Sharks from Racing 92 just after one season with the French club. Two years later, Siya Kolisi is with the Stormers for another dance.
He started his international career with the South Africa Under-20 team in 2010. Siya Kolisi made eight appearances and 10 points.
In 2013, he joined the Springboks. The celebrated loose back has since made over 100 appearances in the green-and-gold jersey. In 2018, he made headlines when he was appointed the first black captain to lead the Springboks.
A year later, he lifted the Rugby World Cup in Japan. In 2023, he went down in the history books of rugby when he captained the Springboks for a back-to-back rugby World Cup hosted in France.
The win saw the Springboks captain become the second-ever captain to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups. He achieved this feat after captaining the Boks to glory in 2019 and 2023.
PERSONAL LIFE
Two-time World Cup winner Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel Smith pulled a shocker in 2024 when they took to social media to announce their divorce.
The two tied the knot in March 2016, and eight years later, they called it quits. Siya Kolisi and Rachel share two kids, Nicholas and Keziah.
The once-power couple also adopted Siya Kolisi’s half-siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, and the two have been part of the family. In 2025, Siya Kolisi made headlines when she was spotted with Dutch influencer and author Rachel John at a tennis match in Italy.
A few weeks later, public confirmations flooded online. No doubt the two later went public with their relationship, and they often share their priceless moments online.
NET WORTH, SALARY, CARS AND MORE
With an illustrious career spanning years, Siya Kolisi has fast become one of the highest-paid rugby stars in the world.
Despite most clubs keeping their player salaries under wraps, Siya Kolisi’s rumoured salaries in several clubs often make headlines.
Little is known about his current salary with the Stormers, but he earned around R20 million annually with the Top 14 outfit Racing 92.
Following his exit from Racing 92, he returned to the Sharks ahead of the 2024-2025 season. Briefly, the news has it that he earned around R18.6 million annually before switching to the Stormers.
Of course, Siya Kolisi has earned a fortune from his illustrious career spanning years. Reports have it that Siya Kolisi has an estimated net worth of R35 million.
However, rumour mill has it that he has since passed that mark. If Siya Kolisi’s divorce from Rachel Smith is finalised, reports have it that he will share half of his fortune with his wife.
Just like those before him, Siya Kolisi has splurged thousands, if not millions, on his life of glitz and glamour.
Siya Kolisi and his ex-wife Rachel own two mansions in South Africa: one in Cape Town and the other in an upscale estate on the Dolphin Coast in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal.
Siya Kolisi’s fortune also consists of an impressive fleet worth millions. Some of the cars reportedly owned by the Springbok captain include:
• Ranger Rover Sport
• Two Mercedes-Benz SUVs
However, his impressive rumoured fleet, worth millions, often confuses many since he also doubles as Mercedes-Benz SA ambassador.
After all, he hasn’t openly confirmed if he owns the rumoured cars he has been spotted driving over the years.
