Following the confirmation that Springboks rugby skipper Siya Kolisi is returning home to South Africa to play for the Sharks, the influential leader has revealed what influenced his decision to leave French club Racing 92.
In addition to a new partnership with Engen, Kolisi said he made the return to South Africa for ‘rugby reasons’.
At 33, Kolisi is looking to prolong his career and playing all year round was not feasible any more.
The Sharks confirmed on Monday that Kolisi had rejoined their ranks, as he left his contract with Racing 92 early.
‘I never get to have a break’
“When I got home after the season [in France], I just knew I wanted to come home. It’s for rugby reasons as I’m playing for South Africa,” said Kolisi.
“When you play there [in France], the season is two different seasons. When the domestic season stops there, I’m straight into internationals. So I never get to have a break. When they start in France, I miss a couple of games because I’m playing for South Africa. So it’s not fair on the clubs or my body. There’s no way I’d be able to keep up. And I miss home.
“It’s good to be back in South Africa. I had a great experience in France, but it’s different to South Africa. I miss waking up after a tough game here and the next morning going with Scarra [Ntubeni] to get some meat.”
Kolisi has also partnered with Engen, along with fellow Springboks Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth, to aid the development of the sport in the country.
The two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain explained why he did not hesitate to sign up with the brand.
“Partnering with Engen … Growing up in the township, Engen was there. Playing sport in the township takes you away from that.
“Engen was on my way to training, so I would always walk past it. We would buy the small vetkoeks and the small polony there. Also when you want to buy paraffin, that’s where you go. So it’s a brand that we’ve known from a young age.
“I don’t have to be prepared to talk about the brand, I’ve known it from a young age. Now the brand that we used to go buy products, is going back and giving back in the communities and exposing more people to rugby.”
While a bursary would indeed be life-changing for individuals, Kolisi said it was about spreading the game even further.
“I would love to go with Engen to places where people don’t normally go. Rugby is an expensive sport. You need a lot to play rugby. You need to be safe and to play on grass, and a lot of people don’t have that.
“A bursary only allows one kid to get out, when there could be 100s of more talented kids there. In my case there were other kids that were more talented than me. That’s why players like myself, Cheslin give back to the communities. We know what’s there. That’s the ultimate goal with the partnership.”