Kolisi confirms leaving Racing 92 to rejoin Sharks

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has confirmed he has ended his association with French club Racing 92 to rejoin the Sharks in Durban, ending months of speculation over his future at club level.

He said he had negotiated an exit after a single season in the French Top 14, having struggled with injury and form.

“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 my body has had no rest.

“And above all, if I play for SA, I miss three months of the Top 14 season. I am 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 SA so much, I want to continue with the Springboks.”

The 33-year-old Kolisi, who scored a try for SA as they beat the All Blacks 18-12 in their Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town on Saturday, will be heading back to Sharks.

“It was the last club I was at before coming to Racing, and all my friends and family are there,” he said. 

Reuters