WeeklySA_AdminCONTRACT: Now we understand from sources in Paris that Racing wants back the R17 million they splashed out to sign Boks captain Siya Kolisi
By Sports Reporter
Siya Kolisi’s much-anticipated return to the Sharks could be on the brink of collapse after talks between the South African club and his current employers, Racing 92, look to have hit a major stumbling block.
RugbyPass exclusively broke the news earlier this month that Kolisi, 33, was pushing for a return to the Sharks after less than a season in France and that initial talks were progressing smoothly.
It appeared that Kolisi, who is currently playing for South Africa in the Rugby Championship, would rejoin his former club when his commitments with the Springboks end.
He made 18 appearances for Racing after leading South Africa to back-to-back World Cup Final victories, but Racing owner Jacky Lorenzetti was far from impressed with his efforts and launched a stinging attack.
Lorenzetti claimed after his side’s Top 14 31-17 play-off defeat to Bordeaux-Begles in June that Kolisi: “gained weight, lost shape, and yesterday he was invisible.”
Now we understand from sources in Paris that talks to agree on a transfer fee have stalled, with Racing wanting back the R17 million (around £726,200) they splashed out to sign him.
Despite his criticism, Lorenzetti appears in no mood to compromise or even strike a deal. He is playing hardball by demanding the full payment upfront before agreeing to release Kolisi from his three-year contract.
But the Sharks are trying to negotiate payment terms and would prefer to spread the cash out over the next two or three seasons, which Lorenzetti has turned down flat, and the talks have reached a stalemate.
And that has things stand, Kolisi will have to return to Paris after the Boks’ final Rugby Championship game against Argentina at the end of next month despite the breakdown of his relationship with Lorenzetti if nothing gives.
Siya who generally plays as a flanker and a loose forward, was appointed captain of the Springboks in 2018 becoming the first black man to hold the position and eventually leading the South African Rugby team to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final against England.
In December 2019, Kolisi was named in New African magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential Africans. In April 2023, Kolisi was bestowed the National Order of Ikhamanga by the South African Government for his contributions to rugby.
In October 2023, Siya Kolisi captained South Africa to a historic fourth Rugby World Cup in Paris, France, and became only the second captain to win the title back-to-back.
Kolisi is one of 44 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions and one of 25 South Africans to do so.
Early life
Kolisi grew up in Zwide, iBhayi, a township in Port Elizabeth. Kolisi was selected as the new captain of the Stormers on 20 February 2017.[18] He was selected as the new captain of the Springboks on 28 May 2018, becoming the team’s first black captain in its 126-year history.
Bryan Habana, former Springbok and of mixed race, praised Kolisi’s appointment: “It’s a monumental moment for South African rugby, and a moment in South African history.’
This weekend will see Hollywoodbets Sharks XV go into the Carling Currie Cup clash with DHL Western Province riding a wave of confidence, but also grounded in the knowledge that their opponents will throw everything at the visiting Durban team.
