Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi to leave Sharks for Top 14 powerhouse

By Sports Desk January 03, 2023

Siya Kolisi will be staying in France after the Rugby World Cup, with the South Africa captain clinching a move from the Sharks to Racing 92.

The Springboks' first black skipper, who led his team to 2019 global glory in Japan, will be targeting a repeat when France stages the 2023 World Cup in September and October.

It has now emerged Kolisi has agreed a long-term deal to switch to the Top 14, signing up until 2026 with Paris-based Racing in a deal that will take effect after the World Cup.

The 31-year-old flanker said: "I am very enthusiastic about the idea of ​​joining Racing 92 after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a visionary club that I have always admired.

"I would like to thank all those involved in Racing 92 and the Cell C Sharks for allowing me to take up this new challenge. Racing 92 have great ambitions on the pitch but also very encouraging societal projects, which corresponds to my personal values ​​and mission."

In a statement announcing the signing, Racing said they would also collaborate with the Sharks in the long term on an exchange of ideas in a "broader long-term" agreement between the teams.

Racing chairman Jacky Lorenzetti said of Kolisi: "His deep culture of victory and his natural leadership make him a very great player who doubles as a deeply humanist man. He will bring additional positive energy to Racing 92."

Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee said Kolisi had been "an instrumental and much-loved member" of the club since joining from the Stormers in February 2021.

"His well-documented and commendable leadership qualities extends far beyond the playing field," Coetzee said on the Sharks website. "His move to France is a new and exciting opportunity and we could not be happier for him."

Related items

  • Springboks assistant Felix Jones to join England coaching staff in 2024 Springboks assistant Felix Jones to join England coaching staff in 2024

    South Africa assistant Felix Jones will join England's coaching staff after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

    Jones featured 13 times for Ireland during his playing career, before taking on assistant coach roles with Munster and the Springboks.

    England are planning ahead after a disappointing Six Nations campaign in which they finished in fourth place, losing three of their five games.

    Speaking to the England Rugby website after the future appointment was confirmed, head coach Steve Borthwick expressed his excitement at eventually having Jones on board.

    "We are continuing to build our programme to be in a position to compete to be world champions once again," Borthwick said. "At the same time, I also want to ensure we are preparing for long-term success for this England team, and I am excited that a coach as talented as Felix is joining next year.

    "Felix has been competing at the top of world rugby during his four years with South Africa and will bring invaluable experience to our set-up. Like with Aled Walters, Felix was an integral part of the team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

    "Together with Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield, we are putting in place a coaching team who have spent their careers at the highest level competing for trophies. That is exactly what we want for this England team."

    Jones has worked with South Africa since 2019, and will join up with assistant Wigglesworth (assistant) and another former Springboks coach in Aled Walters (head of strength and conditioning) as well as Borthwick and Sinfield (defence coach) in 2024, with Wigglesworth and Walters due to come in at the end of the Premiership season.

    "Coaching the Springboks is one of the biggest privileges in rugby and I intend to do everything I can to ensure the team is successful until the day my contract comes to its natural end," said Jones.

    "The last four years has been an incredible journey for me and my family, both professionally and personally, I am indebted to so many people at the Springboks and in South Africa for that.

    "My commitment to the Springboks until the end of the Rugby World Cup is unquestionable, and Rassie [Erasmus, director of rugby], Jacques [Nienaber, head coach] and the entire Springbok team know that.

    "The next five months are going to be exciting and demanding, and I'm looking forward to preparing for the World Cup with this coaching team."

  • Dupont makes history by winning 2023 Six Nations Player of the Championship Dupont makes history by winning 2023 Six Nations Player of the Championship

    Antoine Dupont has been named the 2023 Six Nations Player of the Championship, while grand slam victors Ireland dominate the Team of the Championship.

    France’s scrum-half is just the third player to win the award back-to-back, and only the second to claim it three times after also winning in 2020.

    It puts him alongside Brian O’Driscoll, who won in 2006, 2007 and 2009, after receiving 26 per cent of the fan vote.

    He edged out team-mates Thomas Ramos and Damian Penaud – leading try-scorer of the 2023 Championship with five – as well as Irish trio Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen who were also shortlisted.

    The Team of the Championship also sported a blue and green flavour with a combined 13 players named between the two teams after their superb performances.

    Lock Thibaud Flament was the only non-Irishman included the forward pack, while Dupont was partnered with Johnny Sexton at fly-half after the latter ended his final Six Nations tournament with victory. 

    Penaud, Doris, Keenan and Hansen were all also included, with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Finlay Bealham completing a front row lockout for Ireland among the selections.

    Scotland centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones marked the only representation from beyond Andy Farrell and Fabien Galthie's sides, following an impressive campaign that saw Gregor Townsend's men come third.

    Ireland and France will now set their sights on a successful World Cup campaign later this year, with the latter set to play host when the tournament begins in September.

  • South Africa fall short of another big run chase as Windies take series South Africa fall short of another big run chase as Windies take series

    West Indies avoided a repeat of their remarkable, record-breaking defeat in the second T20I against South Africa by clinging on to win the series decider by seven runs.

    The Windies had been on the wrong end of a historic run chase in the sides' previous encounter, the highest scoring Twenty20 match since the format was introduced.

    But there would be no repeat in Johannesburg on Tuesday, even if Reeza Hendricks again made life difficult for the tourists after another strong Windies score of 220-8.

    Hendricks was credited by centurion Quinton de Kock with inspiring the Proteas fightback in the second match, having contributed 68 off just 28 balls.

    Missing De Kock's support, it was a one-man effort this time as Hendricks scored 83 off 43, not quite enough with South Africa falling short on 213-6.

    West Indies had posted the second-highest T20I total not to include a single fifty but were also themselves grateful for the work of one batter in particular.

    In a blockbuster conclusion to the first innings, Romario Shepherd had scored 26 from the final over to top-score with 44 from only 22 balls – the knock that ultimately proved the difference.

    Phenomenal finish sees Windies safe

    South Africa handed the ball to Kagiso Rabada with some confidence ahead of the 20th over, with the bowling superstar having restricted the Windies to 2-24 from his previous three overs.

    Yet Shepherd, twice put down by De Kock, smashed Rabada all around the ground to set a daunting target. As a result, the Proteas needed to match Shepherd with 26 off the last but could only manage 18.

    Repeat proves beyond Proteas

    While Hendricks remained in the middle, it appeared very possible South Africa would pull off another stunning recovery. It would have been a record-breaking fifth successful 200-run chase in the format.

    However, West Indies kept their nerve, crucially having Hendricks caught by captain Rovman Powell at long on in the 19th over. The Windies still have not lost a T20I series in South Africa, with two wins and a draw.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.