Siya and Rachel Kolisi. (Supplied)

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Springbok star Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel have announced their separation.

The couple shared a joint statement on Instagram on Tuesday evening.

“We wanted to share some important news with you. After much reflection and open conversation, we have mutually decided to end our marriage. This decision comes from a place of love, respect, and understanding, and this is the best part forward for both of us.”

Rachel, a businesswoman and fitness enthusiast, emphasised that she and Siya remain good friends and will continue to co-parent their children.

The news has left fans of the rugby star in shock, as they have always admired the couple’s seemingly unbreakable bond.

The pair first met at a dinner party in Stellenbosch in 2012, and after a few months of friendship, they officially became a couple, eventually marrying in 2016.

Siya Kolisi and Rachel Smith on the dance floor after taking their vows. (Justin Davies)

Kolisi once revealed his nervousness about asking Rachel out, but he eventually mustered the courage. “I knew I liked her and had to tell her,” he wrote on their wedding website. “It was scary. I asked her to lunch, and that’s when I told her. She played hard to get in the beginning but eventually admitted it as well. The rest is history.”

The couple has two children: a son, Nicholas Siyamthanda, born in 2015, and a daughter, Keziah, born in 2017.

Rachel and Siya Kolisi pose with their son Nicholas. (Nasief Manie/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Despite their apparently rosy life, the couple’s vulnerability and transparency were laid bare in Siya’s biopic, Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story.

In it, Siya recounts his harsh upbringing and struggle to the top, while the biopic also highlights his “loose” ways and Rachel’s ultimatum to the then-playboy.

“Being with him was horrible. It was torture,” Rachel remarked about those days. Ultimately, it was Rachel’s independence and indifference to his popularity that won him over.

Rachel Kolisi when she first met Siya and when she attended Siya’s Umgidi. (@rachelkolisi/Instagram)

Their journey, filled with tear-jerking and eye-opening moments, continued inspiring many; watching Rachel stand proudly beside Siya after his 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup wins was a particularly heartwarming moment for many.

In 2020, the couple founded the Kolisi Foundation, which has grown exponentially since its inception.

Recently, Rachel shared a touching post about adopting Siya’s siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, who had been bouncing from orphanages and foster homes until the couple was financially able to adopt them in 2014.

Siya Kolisi celebrates with Rachel and her family after defeating New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Gold Final match between New Zealand and South Africa. (Michael Steele – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

However, cracks in their seemingly perfect facade began to show. In 2018, Rachel lashed out at a fan for referring to Siya as “her type,” later, local celebrity Lorna Maseko faced her wrath for discussing Siya on her TV show.

The couple made headlines again when Rachel accused fitness model Marike Botha of sending her husband risqué photos, leading to a public outburst on Instagram.

“My face is so red because I am so angry. But I just want to finish off this situation saying this: that the days of women having to take sh*t and deal with sh*t and do nothing about it – are over!” she declared.

Marike later claimed that Siya had first contacted her on social media. Despite these tumultuous events, five years passed without further public outbursts from Rachel or accusations against Siya, who managed to win back the adoration of his fans.

Siya Kolisi and his siblings (left) and he and Rachel (right). (@rachelkolisi/Instagram)

After Siya’s 2023 Rugby World Cup victory, the couple briefly relocated to France, where Siya played for French club Racing 92 for one season before returning to South Africa to settle in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.

“And that’s a wrap in Paris. Gave myself 3 days to pack up our home here – very wild. But it’s done. This is my 4th move in 18 months – so I’ve gotten good at it,” Rachel wrote about the move at the time.

A few weeks after winning the Rugby Championship, the couple shared photos from a seemingly joyful safari trip.

This may be why fans are utterly shocked by the announcement of their divorce. While both Rachel and Siya have decided to turn off comments on their Instagram post, comments on their respective Facebook pages remain open, and within minutes of the announcement, thousands of social media posts emerged discussing their split.