Confirmed: Siya Kolisi released by Sharks to join Racing 92

Springbok and World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi will play for French club Racing 92 after the World Cup in France later this year.

This was confirmed by the player, the Sharks and Racing 92 early on Tuesday.

Kolisi, who led the Boks to World Cup glory in 2019 in Japan, will be granted an early release from his Sharks contract. Kolisi joined the Durban-based team in 2021 after initially playing at the Stormers.

Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee said Kolisi would continue to turn out for the team in the coming months.

“Siya has been an instrumental and much-loved member of the Sharks family since his arrival two years ago. His well-documented and commendable leadership qualities extends far beyond the playing field and this is none more so evident than his involvement with the launch of the Players First programme, as well as his commitment in the expansion of the Sharks brand to a global market,” said Coetzee.

“His move to France is a new and exciting opportunity and we could not be happier for him. We are blessed to have him don the black and white jersey and we know that over the next few months, he will continue to give back to the team and our fans.”

ALSO READ: Consistency now key for Sharks, says boss Neil Powell

This multi-year signing is part of a broader long-term collaboration between the Sharks and Racing 92, with the two clubs having come to an amicable agreement, while they also look forward to continuing to build a mutually beneficial relationship in the future.

The collaboration will involve quarterly meetings of owners and management, and an exchange of ideas about player sharing, coaching expertise and branding. Racing 92 will become part of the global network of relationships being established by the Sharks as it seeks to expand the brand in Europe and the North American market in the years leading up to the 2031 Rugby World Cup.

‘Immensely appreciative’

Kolisi thanked the team for enabling him to take up this new challenge.

“It has been an incredible collaborative effort between the Sharks and Racing 92 that has enabled me to start a new chapter in my career after the 2023 World Cup. I want to give a massive thanks 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 hugely influential during a key period in my career.

“I am immensely appreciative 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.”