Cape Town – The French rugby union club Racing 92 is reportedly set to pay the Sharks nearly R17 million for the release of captain Siya Kolisi early from his contract.
Kolisi will be joining the likes of Trevor Nyakane and Warrick Gelant in France after it was announced last week that he will be leaving the South African domestic rugby scene to join Racing 92 after the 2023 World Cup.
According to the French club, the signing of South Africa’s captain is larger than just him putting on the team’s jersey.
“This signing is part of a broader long-term collaboration agreement between the Racing 92 and Cell C Sharks clubs where each of the parties has made financial efforts,” Racing 92 said in a statement.
The club not only praised Kolisi as the outstanding player he is but also praised him “for his commitment to education and social cohesion”.
City Press reported on Sunday that Racing 92 was prepared to pay the Sharks nearly R17 million in transfer fees for Kolisi, according to The South African.
This was the biggest transfer fee in South African rugby, the report said.
Kolisi only joined the Sharks in 2021, having signed from Western Province, and with the fee Racing 92 are rumoured to pay for Kolisi, it means that the Sharks would have received their money back from his signature from Western Province, the report said.
He released a statement where he confirmed his departure and thanked his Sharks teammates for their support. He also thanked the Sharks team members.
My statement on joining @racing92 after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. pic.twitter.com/bxR8YOkA54
— Siya Kolisi (@SiyaKolisi) January 3, 2023
“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 for me has been hugely influential for me on and off the field. I am so 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,” said Kolisi.
He said that he and wife Rachel were excited for their new adventure in France and that they would continue to be involved with the Kolisi Foundation and have a presence in South Africa.
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Picture: Instagram/@siyakolisi
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