Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will miss out on the South African domestic game after this year’s World Cup in France.
Ambitious French giants Racing 92 sensationally confirmed on Tuesday morning that they have signed the 31-year-old striker for next season in a deal that runs until 2026.
He is the second Springbok to announce a post-masterpiece move after Steven Kitshoff, who will leave the Stormers for Ulster.
The club said in a statement that the deal is part of a “broader, long-term collaboration” between it and the Sharks in “different areas”, such as a skills exchange between the respective regions’ rugby schools, academies and even their first teams. .
Nonetheless, the news vividly illustrates that even with increased private investment in local franchises, such as MVM Holdings’ majority stake in the Sharks, South Africa’s weak exchange rate remains a challenge, especially in light of Kolisi’s renewed their terms until 2027 in Durban recently. Like last May.
“The signing of Siya Kolisi reinforces the ambitions of Racing 92 and will offer our fans a high level [of performance] at the Paris La Défense Arena,” said Jack Lorenzetti, president of Racing.
“Their [winning ambition] and natural leadership makes him a great player, but he is also a profound humanist. He will bring additional positive energy to Racing 92”.
Kolisi added that he has admired the club for some time.
“I am very excited about joining Racing 92 after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a visionary club I have always admired,” the statement said.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in Racing 92 and the Sharks for allowing me to take on this new challenge. Racing 92 has great ambitions on the field, but also very encouraging social projects, which correspond to my personal values and mission.”
In fact, Racing also points out that Kolisi’s “commitment to education and social cohesion” is ideal for a club “that has already invested in solidarity initiatives.”
The Sharks also confirmed his departure, stating that he was granted an early release with the “total blessing” of the franchise.
Kolisi joins fellow Springboks Trevor Nyakane and Warrick Gelant in Paris.
