Xanet Scheepers

By Xanet Scheepers

Digital Lifestyle Editor


PICS: Inside Tatjana Schoenmaker’s stunning mountain reserve wedding

The Olympic swimmer tied the knot on Saturday 4 November surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Robertson.


Next time South Africa’s golden swimmer, Tatjana Schoenmaker dives into the swimming pool to fly South Africa’s flag high, she’ll do so as Mrs Smith.

The 2021 Olympic and 2023 World breaststroke Champion married the man of her dreams on Saturday, 4 November.

Joel Smith, Rachel Kolisi’s brother, asked the beautiful brunette for her hand in marriage at the top of a mountain at Eagle Nest in Constantia, Cape Town, in April this year.

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Tatjana Schoenmaker’s wedding

The couple who seem head-over-heels in love wasted no time to make their union official.

Tatjana and Joel were married at Pat Busch Mountain Reserve near Robertson in the Cape Winelands this past weekend.

The bride looked radiant in a simple one-shouldered white dress with a slit showing off her shapely legs.

Joel looked equally as dashing in a black tuxedo from The Tux Tailor, wearing white sneakers to complete his look.

Rachel Kolisi on her new sister-in-law

Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi’s wife, Rachel has welcomed the newest member of their family with both arms.

Taking to her Instagram stories on Monday, Rachel shared a photo of the newly weds with the following caption:

“My brother got married to the most spectacular woman this weekend and I literally couldn’t be more grateful for this love.”

Tatjana Schoenmaker wedding
Picture: Screenshot / Rachel Kolisi Instagram stories

According to a report by Afrikaans magazine, Sarie, Rachel told Tatjana’s sister at a sports award ceremony that she thinks the swimmer and her brother would make a great couple.

Tatjana on becoming Mrs Smith

When Joel first proposed and Tatjana shared the news, it was clear that she had been waiting in anticipation for that special question.

Speaking to the publication, the bride said while she had achieved all the great things in swimming who she would spend the rest of your life with was important. “Joel brings me so much joy,” she said.

Joel told the publication that Tatjana had completely changed his life since he met her, and life was just so much better with her.

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