South Africans are still in shock following an unexpected announcement by Siya and Rachel Kolisi that they are getting a divorce.
The couple said they mutually decided to end their relationship after much reflection and open discussion.
She said the decision came from a place of love, respect and mutual understanding that it was the best way forward for them.
Rachel said they remain great friends and are committed as a couple to raising their children.
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Kolisi, 33, holds superstar status at home and around the rugby world as the first black man to lead the Springboks, captaining them to two World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023 as well as this year's Rugby Championship.
After last year's World Cup final in Paris, he stayed in France to play for Racing 92 but cut short his contract last month to return to Durban-based Sharks.
"My family have missed South Africa and it is time to come home," he said at the time.
His marriage to a white woman, Rachel Smith, in 2016, captivated South Africa, a country where racial tensions are still rife three decades after the end of apartheid.
The News24 website said they "appeared to embody the nation's aspirations with their ease in embracing each other and each other's cultures".
"Their marriage had become a symbol of love, diversity, and overcoming the odds in the hope of achieving excellence."
South Africans have also taken to social media to express their sadness over the news.
