After this year’s Rugby World Cup in France, officials confirmed on Tuesday that Springboks Siya Kolisi would be joining Top 14 club Racing 92.
The Durban-based Sharks have dismissed the 31-year-old loose forward from his contract, and he plans to rejoin his French club after the September 8-October 28 World Cup defense that South Africa will host.
The Sharks have stated that this is part of a larger, ongoing relationship between the two clubs that will see quarterly owner meetings and the sharing of player and coaching resources.
In a statement, Kolisi expressed his gratitude to the Sharks for allowing him to make the trade. “It goes without saying that I will continue to give my all for the team over the next few months,” he added.
“After the 2023 World Cup, I’ll be starting a new chapter in my career thanks to the Sharks and Racing 92’s fantastic joint effort.
“I want to extend a major gratitude to the Sharks for welcoming me with open arms in 2021, and for making me feel so at home in Durban, while their support over the last couple of years has been very significant during a key stage of my career,” he said.
Jacky Lorenzetti, president of the racing organization: “The addition of Siya Kolisi to Racing 92’s roster is a major boost to the club’s aspirations and guarantees our fans a spectacular display at Paris La Defense Arena.
“He is a terrific player because of his deeply ingrained culture of victory and his natural leadership abilities. The team spirit at Racing 92 will be boosted by his presence.”
