For years, Rachel Kolisi stood at the centre of one of South Africa’s most powerful sporting stories. As the wife of Siya Kolisi, the captain who led the South Africa national rugby union team to global glory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and again at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, she became what many called the “First Lady of South African rugby.”
But Rachel Kolisi was never just standing on the sidelines. Through charity work, public advocacy and the work of the Kolisi Foundation, she became a voice in her own right, visible, outspoken and deeply involved in the social impact work surrounding the Springbok story.
Then, last year, the story that had captured the imagination of a nation shifted. The end of one of the most high-profile relationships in South African sport sent shockwaves through fans who had followed their journey for years. Now, Rachel Kolisi is telling her side of the story.
In her memoir, Falling Forward, she opens up about life inside that global spotlight, the pressure, the expectations, the personal cost of living a life watched by millions, and the strength it takes to rebuild when everything changes.
This isn’t just the story of a rugby family the world admired. It’s the story of a woman stepping forward, on her own terms, after the world thought it already knew the ending.
Hang out with Anele and The Club on 947 every weekday morning. Popular radio hosts Anele Mdoda, Frankie du Toit, Thembekile Mrototo, and Cindy Poluta take fun to the next level with the biggest guests, hottest conversations, feel-good vibes, and the best music to get you going! Kick-start your day with the most enjoyable way to wake up in Joburg.
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