SA Rugby weighs into Siya Kolisi ‘buy-out’ claims amid rumoured Racing 92 exit
Springboks flanker Siya Kolisi in action during 2024 mid-year series.
SA Rugby have moved to deny that they are involved in the rumoured transfer of Siya Kolisi, who is set to depart Racing 92.
It was reported on Friday that the double Rugby World Cup winning captain was set to leave the Top 14 outfit just a season into his three-year contract.
According to RugbyPass, Kolisi will head back to South Africa and has been heavily linked with a return to the Sharks.
Transfer fee
They also claimed that the governing body would pay a fee to enable the Durban outfit to re-sign the flanker, who played for the franchise between 2021 and 2023.
However, SA Rugby have vehemently denied that and insisted they have not been involved in any possible deal regarding the 33-year-old.
“Media are advised that speculation that SA Rugby is involved in the ‘buy-out’ of the club contract of Siya Kolisi is without any basis in fact,” SA Rugby said in a statement.
“SA Rugby also wishes to make clear that it is not in any way involved in any conversations relating to such an outcome should they, in fact, be taking place.”
Siya Kolisi has ‘showdown talks’ with Racing 92 as Springboks captain eyes exit door – report
Should Kolisi depart Racing, it would see the legendary Springbok end his French adventure after just a year in Paris.
The back-row signed a three-year deal with Racing and joined the club after South Africa’s victory at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Much was expected of the flanker but he struggled with injury and form as the Parisians missed out on the Top 14 and Champions Cup titles.
They were eliminated at the round-of-16 stage in Europe before they failed to get past the barrages domestically.
Racing owner’s attack
Racing hoped that Kolisi’s presence, both on and off the field, would help them lift some silverware, but the season ended with owner Jacky Lorenzetti unleashing an extraordinary attack on the 33-year-old.
“Kolisi had a remarkable start to the season, where he was a unifier off the field,” Lorenzetti told Midi Olympique in June before he then laid into the great Bok.
“The injury lay-off was harmful to him. He gained weight, lost shape and yesterday [against Bordeaux] he was transparent. In the back-row, we used to have an ultra-present warrior, a warrior called Wenceslas Lauret. For the moment, Siya isn’t making us forget Wenceslas. But we think that next year, that will change.”
Lorenzetti may now not get his wish with Kolisi set to end his time at Racing. It is unclear whether the owner’s remarks played a part in the Springbok’s decision but it is highly unlikely they helped the situation.
