Siya Kolisi may be inundated with birthday tributes from fans from around the world, but it’s surely the ones from his nearest and dearest that mean the most.

The Springboks captain shared a post from his baby sister Liphelo – whom he took in from foster care along with his brother Liyema – which had his followers bawling their eyes out.

 

 

Siya and his wife Rachel are the legal guardians of his half-siblings, whose mother died in 2009.n the post – accompanied of Siya with his siblings – Liphelo shared: “Happy birthday to the one who has always been my rock, support, and father figure! I want to take this opportunity to let you know how much you mean to me and how grateful I am to have you in my life.“You have always been there for me through thick and thin. You have been my guide, my mentor, and my friend. You have taught me so much about life and have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation. I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me.

“Your presence in my life has made a world of difference. I cannot imagine my life without you. You have been a true blessing to me, and I am honored to call you my brother”.Following his mother’s death in 2009, Siya Kolisi’s brother and sister were placed in orphanages and foster care.

In 2012, the siblings were reunited after he tracked them down to a foster home in Zwide in the Eastern Cape.

He told The Guardian in an interview about the reunion: “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 the December holidays that year. Which I did. But afterward, I said I can’t send them back.