Siya Kolisi is set for a sensational return to South Africa after negotiating an early exit from his contract with French giants Racing 92.
Kolisi only joined Racing last year after captaining the Springboks to the 2023 World Cup title and played 18 times in all competitions in his first season with the Parisian club.
However, the Bok skipper was the target of unexpected criticism from Racing owner Jacky Lorenzettini, who accused him of being overweight and “transparent” after the club suffered a Top 14 semi-final defeat to Bordeaux.
After responding with an excellent performance in the Test series opener against Ireland in Pretoria, Kolisi appeared keen to make his second season with Racing a more successful one, especially as the club added Owen Farrell and Hacjivah Dayimani to their star-studded roster.
According to a report by RugbyPass, Kolisi has held talks with the hierarchy at Racing 92 this week and has requested that he be released from his contract, which runs until 2026.
The exact terms of the 33-year-old’s exit are still reportedly being negotiated, but Racing are likely to demand a heavy compensation fee for his contract, after they had to pay out his five-year contract with the Sharks.
Kolisi has been linked with a return to the Sharks, who signed him from the Stormers in 2021.
A return to South Africa for Kolisi would be a major boost for the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus, who prefers that the Springbok captain be based in the Republic.
Photo: Franco Arland/Getty Images
The post Kolisi saying au revior to Racing? appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
