Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has confirmed that he left Racing 92 to join the Hollywoodbets Sharks, with two years left on his contract with Racing 92.
Kolisi, 33, joined Racing in January 2023 from South African side Sharks.
The relationship between Kolisi and Racing 92 grew tense when Racing 92 president Jacky Lorenzetti described the South African as having “gained weight, lost shape and was transparent” towards the latter stages of the season.
Kolisi has confirmed he has ended his association with French club Racing 92 to rejoin the Sharks in Durban, ending months of speculation over his future at club level.
"We reached an agreement with the club. I am grateful for the way they handled the situation,” he told French daily L’Equipe on Sunday.
“When I arrived in Paris, I didn’t know what the future of my international career was but when I started playing for the national team again (in June), I realised that my body has no rest. And above all, if I play for South Africa, I miss three months of the Top 14 season. I am very well paid and it makes me feel like I am stealing from Racing.
“So, for me, my physical health and the club, I want to do what is right, I don’t want to only invest half of myself. When they recruited me, they thought they had a full-time Siya Kolisi. But I love playing for South Africa so much, I want to continue with the Springboks.”
Kolisi confirmed he will be heading back to Sharks. “It was the last club I was at before coming to Racing, and all my friends and family are there,” he told L’Equipe.