Rachel Kolisi, the wellness advocate, philanthropist, and former wife of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, has sparked a wave of online conversation and support after sharing a poignant, cryptic message on Instagram on Monday, December 1, 2025. In a raw post that has garnered over 1.2 million likes and thousands of comments within 24 hours, the 32-year-old mother of two opened up about the pain of "fake friends" and her resolute commitment to protecting her peace, resonating deeply with followers navigating similar personal battles.
The post, a simple black-and-white photo of Rachel gazing thoughtfully into the distance against a serene ocean backdrop at her family's Clifton home, was captioned:
"I've spent too long dimming my light for people who never intended to celebrate it. Fake friends? They come for the highlight reel but vanish when the reel breaks. I'm done chasing shadows. From here on out, it's real ones only – the ones who stay through the storms, not just the sun. I choose peace. I choose me. Who's with me? 💫 #NoMoreToxicity #RealOverReel"
Accompanied by a series of subtle emojis – a broken heart mending into a blooming flower – the message quickly went viral, trending under #RachelKolisiStand and #FakeFriendsExposed on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. Celebrities like Bonang Matheba and Sho Madjozi reposted with words of solidarity, while fans flooded the comments with personal stories: "This is exactly what I needed today – thank you for being our voice," wrote one user, amassing 45,000 likes.
Rachel's candid reflection comes nearly six months after her highly publicized divorce from Siya Kolisi, finalized in June 2025 after eight years of marriage and the birth of their two children, Silver (9) and Nicholas (7). The split, announced amicably as a mutual decision to "co-parent with love and grace," thrust the couple into the spotlight amid South Africa's rugby fever following the Boks' 2023 World Cup triumph. Since then, Rachel has channeled her energy into her Unwritten wellness app, which promotes mental health resources for women, and her ongoing work with the Kolisi Foundation – a joint legacy project she co-founded with Siya to support underprivileged youth in Zwide township.
In a follow-up Instagram Story shared Tuesday morning, Rachel elaborated slightly, reading from a journal: "Divorce taught me a lot about loyalty – not just in love, but in friendship. The people who stick around when life gets messy? They're gold. The rest? Let them go. No hard feelings, just growth." The post subtly nodded to rumored strains in her social circle post-separation, including whispers of fair-weather friends drawn to the couple's celebrity status during their peak fame. Sources close to Rachel tell The Citizen that the message was inspired by a recent "betrayal" from a long-time associate who allegedly leaked private family moments to tabloids, prompting her to "clean house" emotionally.
Rachel's vulnerability has struck a chord in a digital age rife with performative relationships. Mental health experts, including Dr. Niazi Malli from the University of Cape Town's Psychology Department, praised the post as "a powerful example of boundary-setting in the public eye." "Rachel's words normalize the exhaustion of toxic ties and empower others to curate circles that foster genuine healing," Dr. Malli noted in an exclusive comment to eNCA.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with #RachelKolisi garnering 500,000 mentions across platforms. Wellness influencers have launched "Peace Over Toxicity" challenges, encouraging users to share their own stories of letting go. Even Siya Kolisi, ever the supportive ex, liked the post and commented a single heart emoji, signaling continued mutual respect amid co-parenting duties.
Rachel, who rose to prominence through her role in the Kolisi Foundation and her advocacy for holistic living, has long been a beacon for aspiring moms and entrepreneurs. Her Unwritten app, launched in 2024, now boasts 500,000 downloads, offering guided meditations and journaling prompts tailored to high-achievers facing burnout. "This isn't just a post; it's a pivot," Rachel shared in a DM-exclusive with Good Housekeeping South Africa. "I'm stepping into 2026 lighter, surrounded by truth-tellers who lift me up – not weigh me down."
As Rachel prepares for her first solo TEDxCapeTown talk on "Reclaiming Joy After Loss" in February 2026, her message serves as a timely reminder: In a world of filters and facades, authenticity is the ultimate rebellion.
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