Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s son plays rugby in Langa as Rachel calls for more community sport
For Rachel Kolisi, a weekend rugby match was about much more than the final score.
The author and philanthropist took to social media to share a moment that resonated with many South Africans: watching her son, Nicholas, take to the field in Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township. But beyond the tackles and tries, Rachel saw something far more meaningful unfolding.
In a TikTok video shared on Sunday, 7 June, she reflected on the power of sport to bring children together across different backgrounds and experiences.
@rachelkolisiMy son played a rugby match in Langa yesterday, against a team from the community, and I’m here for it. Watching kids play sport is always special. Watching them do it in spaces that may be different from their own feels even more important. We should be doing more of this, because sport has the power to break down barriers. I’m curious, how often do your schools or sports clubs play in communities different from their own? What impact do you think it has on the children involved?
A rugby match with a bigger message
Nicholas, the son of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and Rachel Kolisi, played against a team from the Langa community over the weekend.
While youth sports fixtures are common across South Africa, Rachel believes matches like these can play an important role in helping children understand communities beyond their own.
Sharing footage from the day, she encouraged schools and sports clubs to create more opportunities for young people to interact with peers from different social and economic backgrounds.
“My son played a rugby match in Langa yesterday, against a team from the community, and I’m here for it,” she wrote.
“Watching kids play sport is always special. Watching them do it in spaces that may be different from their own feels even more important.”
Why Langa matters
Located about 11 kilometres from Cape Town’s city centre, Langa holds a special place in South African history. Established in 1927, it is widely recognised as Cape Town’s oldest township and has long been a symbol of resilience, culture and community spirit.
For many South Africans, the township represents both the country’s painful past and its ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive future.
Rachel’s comments touched on a broader conversation about social integration and the role that sport can play in breaking down barriers that still exist decades after apartheid.
“We should be doing more of this, because sport has the power to break down barriers,” she said.
She also posed a question to her followers, asking how often schools and sports clubs compete in communities different from their own and what impact those experiences have on children.
Social media applauds the initiative
The post quickly attracted positive reactions from South Africans who praised the idea of exposing children to different communities through sport.
One TikTok user highlighted how some schools can become isolated from the realities of broader society.
“So true! I’m so happy to see this. I often find that private schools, especially in the Western Cape, sometimes exist in silos,” the user commented.
The commenter went on to say that it is important for children to experience life beyond the familiar environments of elite schools and affluent neighbourhoods, adding that these interactions can help young people recognise their privilege and build meaningful connections across communities.
Others kept their reactions simple but enthusiastic.
“I love this,” wrote one user.
“This is dope,” added another.
Sport’s unique ability to unite
South Africa has countless examples of sport bringing people together. From the historic Rugby World Cup victory in 1995 to the Springboks’ recent global success under Siya Kolisi’s leadership, sport has often served as a bridge between communities that might otherwise never interact.
That is why Rachel’s message struck a chord with many followers. While the match may have involved just two youth rugby teams, the bigger lesson was about exposure, understanding and connection.
For Nicholas and the other children on the field, it was a game of rugby. For many watching from the sidelines, it was also a reminder that some of the most meaningful lessons in life happen far beyond the classroom.
And if Rachel Kolisi’s social media followers are anything to go by, many South Africans agree that there should be more opportunities like it.
