Siya Kolisi ‘approached’ to replace Ardie Savea as Springboks captain weighs up ‘big payday’ pre-Rugby World Cup
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and an inset of All Blacks Ardie Savea.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is attracting interest from Japan and could leave the Sharks ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The Bok skipper initially joined the Sharks from the Stormers in 2021, but he left the Durbanites after the 2023 World Cup in France, signing with Top 14 giants Racing 92.
His stint in France lasted just one season before he returned to South Africa, re-joining the Sharks on a contract through to the end of 2027.
Siya Kolisi to Japan?
RugbyPass reports that Kolisi has emerged as a ‘target’ for Japanese club Kobelco Kobe Steelers, coached by former Wallabies boss Dave Rennie.
Sources have confirmed to Planet Rugby that the report is accurate, with the Japanese club approaching the Springboks skipper about a potential move ahead of the 2026/27 season.
It is unclear what Kolisi’s preference is, as things stand, with his contract running through to 2027, but a move to the Japan Rugby League One club could result in a big payday before the double World Cup-winning captain hangs up his boots.
Next season’s Japanese season will see the introduction of far stricter policies around signing foreign-based players, but signing a player of Kolisi’s stature and popularity is an attractive prospect.
Kolisi is seemingly being targeted by Kobe as a replacement for Ardie Savea, who has returned for a second stint at the club for the 2025/26 season. The All Blacks star will rejoin Moana Pasifika ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.
It’s widely known that Savea and Kolisi are friends off the pitch, and the All Black may well have played a role in Kobe’s interest in the Bok captain.
However, the Steelers are renowned for their star signings, with Brodie Retallick contracted to the club and named as co-captain for the upcoming season.
Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden, Andy Ellis, and Ben Smith are other former All Blacks who have played for the club, while ex-Springboks Andries Bekker and Jaque Fourie had stints at the side, as did Lukhanyo Am.
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Rassie Erasmus on Japan-based Springboks
A move to Japan could aid Kolisi’s preparation for the 2027 World Cup, with Boks head coach Rassie Erasmus highlighting the benefits of experienced players plying their trade in Asia.
“I think for certain players, who’ve made their mark and then go to the Japanese league, it’s definitely less tiring on their bodies,” he said during a press conference after the 2027 pool draw.
“We’ve got a great relationship with the Japanese clubs, where they released players for the game against Japan outside the window. In the last game, which we played against Wales, some of the Japanese clubs released their players.
“But then the Japanese league also has a rule that they can only have so many foreign-based players in their clubs, so they get a lot of rest there, all the guys.”
A plethora of Springboks currently ply their trade in Japan, including the likes of Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager (both at Panasonic Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), Lukanyo Am (Dynaboars) and Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners).
While Erasmus says that it’s beneficial for the more experienced Springbok players, he wouldn’t select a younger player from the competition.
“I think for a young guy to go to Japan, we will definitely not pick him, but I like Manie Libbok, who is playing in the B division in Japan, and we know what he can do, and he’s been coached by Quade Cooper and Will Genia,” he added.
“So there are a lot of things that are positive there. But not for a young guy to go over there and think we’re still going to pick him from there.”
