Current captain Siya Kolisi will leave the Sharks at the end of the season, although he signed a five-year contract extension last May, to join Racing 92 in France, and it is all halal, according to local franchise CEO Eduard Coetzee.
College’s three-year deal with Racing, the Parisian club, was announced on Tuesday and, although it will come as no surprise to Sharks fans and cause confusion for those wondering what happens to the Springbok captain after the World Cup, Coetzee said Kolisi will leave. Kings Park early with full blessing.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Bok captain’s move.
A collaboration between Sharks and Racing 92
“Siya’s move to France is a new and exciting opportunity and we couldn’t be happier for him. We hope he can wear the black and white jersey and we know that over the next few months, he will continue to give back to the team and the fans,” Coetzee said in a Sharks statement.
In addition, the move is “part of a wider long-term collaboration between the Sharks and Racing 92, with both clubs reaching a good agreement, while they also look forward to continuing to build a mutually beneficial relationship in the future.”
‘new chapter’
Kolisi thanked the Sharks for being willing to part with their best player.
“This is an incredible collaborative effort between the Sharks and Racing 92 that allows me to start a new chapter in my career after the 2023 World Cup.
“I want to say a big thank you to the Sharks for welcoming me with open arms in 2021, and making me feel right at home in Durban, while their support over the past few years has had a huge impact on an important period in my career.
“I am very grateful that the Sharks have given me their blessing to make this move, and it goes without saying that I will continue to give my all for the team over the next few months,” Kolisi said.
Read more: Confirmed – Siya Kolisi released by Sharks to join Racing 92
Kolisi ‘a deep humanist’
“The signing of Siya Kolisi reinforces Racing 92’s ambitions and will provide supporters with a high-level performance,” said Racing owner Jack Lorenzetti.
“His deep winning culture and natural leadership make him a great player, but he is also a deep humanist. He will bring additional positive energy to Racing 92.
After the 2023 World Cup
The 31-year-old’s departure to France, worth hundreds of thousands of euros a year, is sure to fuel the debate over how the Springboks should approach the 2023 World Cup era.
Kolisi will only be 32 at the end of this year’s World Cup, and 36 at the 2027 event in Australia, which may still be available as the Sharks’ contract will run until then.
Whoever is in charge of the Springboks later this year may want to keep Kolisi as captain, perhaps with a handover period for a successor.
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