Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has officially returned to the Hollywoodbets Sharks following the termination of his contract with French side Racing 92.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks officially announced the return of Kolisi in a statement on Monday after the 32-year-old led the Springboks to an 18-12 win over New Zealand in a Castle Rugby Championship Test at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town over the weekend.
The French Top 14 club announced on Sunday that it had reached an agreement with Kolisi to terminate his contract with two years of his deal still to run.
“Siya Kolisi and Racing 92 have reached an agreement to end the contract,” a club statement read.
In an interview with French sports daily L’Equipe on Sunday, Kolisi admitted international duty interfered with his ability to give Racing his best.
“If I play for South Africa, I’ll miss three months of the Top 14. I’m very well paid and it makes me feel like I’m stealing from Racing 92,” he said, adding that the combination of Top 14 and international rugby was physically untenable.
“When I played with the national team again, I realised that I could still contribute, but with the Top 14 – and you know how tough and long this competition is – it would be difficult. That’s what made me take this decision.”
We are excited to announce the return of Siya Kolisi to the Hollywoodbets Sharks! After spending a season in Paris, our national hero has decided home is where the heart is.🤩🙌💜
— Hollywoodbets (@Hollywoodbets) September 9, 2024
He will once again step out in the renowned black-and-white kit.#HWBTWT pic.twitter.com/0UtUZAXf2m
BACK IN BLACK 🦈 pic.twitter.com/SQnyJnUXSb
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) September 9, 2024
