South Africa captain Siya Kolisi makes Sharks return
Siya Kolisi previously played for Sharks between 2021 and 2023
©PA
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has announced that he has parted ways with French club Racing 92 and will be returning to the Sharks in Durban, putting an end to months of speculation about his club career.
Kolisi previously played for Sharks between 2021 and 2023 during which he made over 30 appearances following which he headed to the French club.
His return back to South Africa will be a major boost for the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus, who said about his preference of having a locally-based skipper to lead the national team.
“We reached an agreement with the club. I am grateful for the way they handled the situation,” he told French daily L’Equipe on Sunday.
“When I arrived in Paris, I didn’t know what the future of my international career was but when I started playing for the national team again (in June), I realised that my body has no rest.
"And above all, if I play for South Africa, I miss three months of the Top 14 season. I am very well paid and it makes me feel like I am stealing from Racing.
“So, for me, my physical health and the club, I want to do what is right, I don’t want to only invest half of myself. When they recruited me, they thought they had a full-time Siya Kolisi. But I love playing for South Africa so much, I want to continue with the Springboks.”
Kolisi, who led South Africa to back to back Rugby World Cup wins in 2019 and 2023 has guided the side to four consecutive wins in the ongoing Rugby Championship tournament that includes claiming the Freedom Cup over New Zealand after 15 years.
