By Tamlyn Canham
Siya Kolisi gave his sister Liphelo a special shout-out on Instagram for her 14th birthday.
The Springbok captain has learned a lot from his little sister.
“Your growth and how you just find a way to get through all the challenges you’ve had to face at such a young age has taught me to be more resilient in every challenge!”
Siya says their mother would be proud of her.
“Being reunited with you and Liyema has given me more drive and happiness more than you’ll ever know! I love you so much Pelo! Your smile honestly warms up heart… I know Mama is proud of you.”
READ: Baby shark! Siya Kolisi’s son trains with him
Siya finds his siblings
Siya legally adopted his sister and brother, Liyema, after their mother died in 2009. He hadn’t seen his siblings in years before he finally found them in foster care in Zwide – a township in Gqeberha.
He said they had an emotional reunion when he finally found them in 2012.
“My little sister didn’t know me. She had been crawling when I last saw her. I told the woman taking care of them that I was going to take them for December holidays that year, which I did. But afterwards I said I can’t send them back.
“I had to go through a legal process, which I started after that holiday. It took about 18 months, but I finally legally adopted them,” he told The Guardian in an interview.
Siya remembered their mom in a touching Mother’s Day tribute in May.
“I feel for my siblings who never got to spend as much time as I did with you, especially my sister. I love telling her all about you but it still doesn’t do you justice. I love you I hope we are making you happy and proud. ”
Siya’s family lives in Cape Town. His wife, Rachel Kolisi, helps take care of his siblings. The couple also has two children, Nicholas and Keziah.
READ: Rachel Kolisi praises Siya: ‘You really are one of a kind’
Main image credit: Instagram/@siya_kolisi_the_



