Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has praised DJ Black Coffee – real name Nkosinathi Maphumulo – as one of his role models. Like the DJ, the rugby player has made headlines over his high-profile divorce.

Mapuhumlo split from his ex-wife, Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, in 2019. In 2024, Siya announced his separation from his former spouse, Rachel Kolisi.

Both men have since moved on.

SIYA KOLISI PRAISES BLACK COFFEE

On his Instagram Story, Siya Kolisi showed love to a clip of Black Coffee spinning the decks at a recent gig.

“Grootman”, the Springbok captain commented under a post by an Afrohouse fan page.

The slang word “Grootman” – which signifies a man’s wealth, wisdom, and social standing – is one that the DJ is often called by his entertainment industry peers.

The feeling is mutual for the Grammy Award-winning DJ, too.

In the 2023 documentary Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, Black Coffee praised the rugby hero for offering South Africans a “glimmer of hope”.

He’s also referred to the sports star as a “born leader”.

ENHLE AND RACHEL HAVE EACH OTHERS BACKS TOO

While Black Coffee and Siya Kolisi share a mutual respect, so do their exes, Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa and Rachel Kolisi, respectively.

The women often like and comment under each other’s Instagram posts.

While their circumstances differ, both Enhle and Rachel have spoken about their partners being away from home for extended periods due to their high-profile jobs, and the work they’ve put in to supporting their significant others’ careers and raising their children.

While Rachel has hinted that Siya may have cheated on her during their marriage, Enhle has publicly accused her ex of being unfaithful.

Speaking to 702’s Relebogile Mabotja last year, she said: “I’m proud of how I handled my marriage. I never cheated, not once, until the day I decided to leave because I could no longer take the punishment to myself. 

Adding context, she contined: “It’s multi-layered. But my non-negotiable was children in a marriage. Once there were two children by two different women, I said, ‘You don’t love me. In fact, you’re going to kill me.

“I lost a lot of respect for my partner. I forgave him for the apologies I never got, I forgave myself.”

During their marriage, Black Coffee reportedly fathered multiple children with different women. He has never confirmed or denied the news.

In an interview with Algoa FM this week, Rachel Kolisi claimed that “a lot that happened that people know nothing about”, following the announcement of her marriage separation.