South Africa captain Kolisi leaves Racing 92: French Top 14 club

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has left Racing 92 with two years of his contract still to run, the French Top 14 club announced on Sunday.

“Siya Kolisi and Racing 92 have reached an agreement to end the contract,” a club statement read.

The not altogether unexpected news – Kolisi’s family was reportedly homesick in the French capital – came 24 hours after Kolisi led the Springboks to an 18-12 win over New Zealand at Cape Town.

Playing with a broken nose, Kolisi scored a try early in the second half as South Africa overturned a 9-3 half-time deficit in what he said was South Africa’s most important game since they won the World Cup final against the same opponents in Paris last year.

As Kolisi was starring in the Rugby Championship back in France Racing opened their Top14 season with defeat to Castres.

Amicable seperation

In their statement Racing 92 added: “The two parties thank each other for the sporting moments in the sky blue and white jersey and wish each other in the future”.

Kolisi arrived in France last year to much fanfare after the second of his World Cup wins with the Springboks.

But the 33-year-old only turned out for Racing 18 times last season, scoring one try.

He has been linked with a move back to the Sharks in Durban.

Last Monday, Racing centre Gael Fickou told AFP when asked about Kolisi’s potential departure: “His choice will be the right one for him.

“If he feels like his family are not well settled in France and that he needs to be down there, then I understand it and we will respect that.”