Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will be available for the Sharks as soon as his national duties are done in the Rugby Championship with the world champions.
The Durban side announced the return of Kolisi yesterday after an agreement with the French club to release him after only one year of playing abroad in the Top 14 league.
Kolisi moved back home to stay available for the Springboks whenever they need him, whether it’s for alignment camps or out-of-date matches like the Wales clash earlier this year.
The camps will become increasingly important to head coach Rassie Erasmus as the world champions continue building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Due to his club commitments in France, Kolisi missed some in-person alignment camps earlier this year.
But the move back to the Sharks and playing his club rugby on the domestic scene will make things easier at a national level.
“We have missed South Africa and it is time to come home,” Kolisi said in a Sharks statement.
“I would like to thank Racing 92 for accommodating my request to return home and for the exciting opportunity they gave me to play abroad.”
“My family and I have enjoyed a wonderful year abroad that has given us cherished memories. I would like to thank Racing 92 for accommodating my request to return home and for the exciting opportunity they gave me to play abroad. It is a great club steeped in tradition with an impressive group of players, who I can now call brothers for life.
The homecoming we’ve all been waiting for! Welcoming our back-to-back RWC Bok captain, Siya Kolisi, to Hollywoodbets Kings Park 🖤
Read full media release on https://t.co/fEbI5vmPgo pic.twitter.com/tuh51cH6CS
“I am excited to return to Durban to rejoin the Sharks. My family and I love Durban and its people, and I cannot wait to run out onto Kings Park during the 2024/2025 rugby season.”
Neil Powell, Sharks director of rugby, said Kolisi is an influential player whose leadership and passion are known and celebrated globally.
“We are glad that he has chosen to return to Durban and don the black and white jersey once again.
“The positive influence he has on young players and the high standards that he sets for himself and those around him are beneficial to any team he is part of. Off the field, the immense contribution that he makes can never be underestimated.”