In a massive blow to South African rugby’s efforts to keep the country’s best players, it was confirmed on Monday morning that Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has agreed to end his Sharks contract early and take up a contract with Racing 92 in France. Kolisi will end his two-year spell with the Durban club after the 2023 World Cup in France, with him then remaining in the host country to move to a French club. It was a disappointing turn of events after what looked like a wave of SA’s best players to…
In a massive blow to South African rugby’s efforts to keep the country’s best players, it was confirmed on Monday morning that Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has agreed to end his Sharks contract early and take up a contract with Racing 92 in France.
Kolisi will end his two-year spell with the Durban club after the 2023 World Cup in France, with him then remaining in the host country to move to a French club.
It’s a disappointing turn of events after what looked like a wave of SA’s best players overseas, while Springbok star Eben Etzebeth’s major return to the country with the Sharks last year proved there is interest in returning top players. .
The Stormers’ long-term signing of Bok star Damian Willemse, as well as the Sharks and Bulls managing to tie Lukhanyo Am and Marcell Coetzee to long-term contracts, while allowing them to live in Japan, appear to indicate a change in status. quo of SA players moving permanently overseas.
Although Bok star and Stormers prop Steven Kitshoff signed for Ulster from next season, that only seemed to be a bump in the road.
It seems the top SA players are finally enjoying playing rugby at the highest level for local teams and not needing to chase European riches.
Legend
But Kolisi’s bombshell revelation throws assumptions that he is completely out the window as a poster boy for SA-based players.
He was the World Cup-winning captain of the Springboks, a Stormers legend who would go on to carve out a legendary career at the Sharks.
Kolisi is the quintessential SA-based player, who with multiple endorsements and lucrative contracts with the Boks and Sharks, seems to have no need to chase European riches.
However, it seems that everyone has a price, which is something I will not begrudge people, and now the latest big name Bok stars who have been lured by the monetary power of French rugby.
There’s a good chance we’ll see Kolisi back playing rugby in South Africa at some stage in the future, especially with the Sharks confirming he’s joined Racing 92, which will hopefully see some of his players go to SA. .
But there are still disappointing developments that show that despite the strides made by the SA team since joining the United Rugby Championship, they still have a huge struggle to hold on to the best players, especially if South African rugby salaries are capped. stay in place.