Despite the Springboks’ emphasis on family values, captain Siya Kolisi shocked South Africans this week when he announced his divorce from his wife, Rachel.

Up until just a few days ago, the 33-year-old had been a happily married father of two.

Siya and Rachel wed in 2016 after meeting a few years earlier. It’s unclear what led to their separation.

IS SIYA KOLISI THE FIRST SPRINGBOK CAPTAIN TO GET A DIVORCE?

With the November test matches around the corner, Siya Kolisi will lead the Springboks – many of whom are fathers and husbands – as a single man.

But he’s not the only Bok captain to go through a high-profile divorce. In 2002, the late Joost van der Westhuizen also split from his wife, Marlize. At the time of his death in 2017, he was estranged from his second wife, Amor Vittone.

Coach Rassie Erasmus – who was once a player himself and made a single appearance as Boks captain in 1999 – also announced his split from his wife of 25 years, Nikki Erasmus, earlier this year.

MESSY MARRIAGE SPLITS FROM FORMER PLAYERS

Like Siya Kolisi, these Springboks have made headlines after their dirty laundry was aired to the public following their divorces.

Elton Jantjies

The infamous flyhalf was dragged through the mud by media and fans after he admitted to having an affair with team dietician Zeenat Simjee in 2022 (who vehemently denied the allegations).

Elton has also faced scrutiny over his professional playing ban over the use of illegal substances, alleged drugs, and domestic abuse.

Derick Hougaard

The “Liefling van Loftus” was married to Afrikaans singer Karlien from 2013 – 2015. Despite being considered the darlings of celebrity couples, their marriage was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.

In a Facebook post in 2018, Karlien claimed that her ex-husband had a “pill and alcohol addiction” and had been “in and out of rehabilitation centres several times.”

She added that Derick had not paid for the children’s upkeep.

All you need…!!! pic.twitter.com/f43K6Hw79u

— Derick Hougaard (@DerickHougaard) August 10, 2015

Joost van der Westhuizen

The late Springbok player – who died of motor neuron disease – was accused of cheating on his wife, Amor Vittone, with multiple women (including a stripper). He was also accused of abusing drugs like cocaine.

When he died in 2017, Joost allegedly left just a TV to his estranged wife, Amor, who is the mother of his two children.

You guys didn’t grow up reading You and Huisgenoot because how is a rugby divorce this shocking? pic.twitter.com/TmEX4RGfAM

— . (@melisandeeee) October 22, 2024

Andries Bekker

In 2011, the retired Springbok and his wife Pioni divorced after he admitted to having an extramarital affair with a student a year earlier.

During a 2010 media briefing with the national team, while playing in Wales, Andries confessed to his infidelity. He said: “I am deeply sorry. It was the first time and I was stupid”.

Jacques Potgieter

The former Springbok – who was married to 7de Laan actress Angelique Gerber – allegedly admitted to being unfaithful in a series of Instagram Stories in 2022.

He later claimed his account was “hacked.” Shortly after their divorce that year, Jacques – who has three children with his ex – went public with his new girlfriend, a woman named Lizane Wagner.

James Dalton

In 2007, the Springbok hooker had a messy split from his wife Andrea, who alleged that the player had physically, mentally, and financially abused her. She also accused him of having multiple affairs.

James denied all the allegations.

SPRINGBOK COACH’S MESSY DIVORCE

Like Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus, former Springboks coach Jake White also divorced his partner in 2008.

By the end of the same year, he had married again. According to IOL, Jake was accused of flying his mistress to the 2007 World Cup. He was also accused of duping the public into believing his “public sham” of a marriage.