Siya Kolisi has ‘showdown talks’ with Racing 92 as Springboks captain eyes exit door – report

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is reportedly pushing for a premature exit from his big-money deal at Racing 92 in order to return home, according to a report.

The 33-year-old, who joined the Top 14 giants following a victorious 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign leading South Africa, has played just one season in France.

It has not, however, been a successful campaign on the field for Kolisi and RugbyPass believes the Springboks legend is now looking to cut ties with the Parisians.

Sharks favourites to sign Kolisi

According to the report, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner is eyeing a switch back to South Africa and his former side, the Sharks, are favourites to sign him.

RugbyPass report that the flank, who is on a €1million-a-season deal, had “showdown talks” with Racing 92 this week after “failing to settle” at the Top 14 outfit.

His performances on the field have clearly not impressed Racing 92 owner Jacky Lorenzetti, who launched a scathing attack on the player in a recent interview.

Springboks: World Cup-winning duo make timely injury returns ahead of Rugby Championship

“Kolisi had a remarkable start to the season, where he was a unifier off the field,” Lorenzetti told Midi Olympique in June of this year before his tone changed.

“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.”

Kolisi’s contract with Racing 92 runs until 2026 and it would therefore take a settlement package paid to the Top 14 side in order to allow the Springbok to depart.

The flanker is currently in Australia with the Boks as they prepare for their 2024 Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies in Brisbane on August 10.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has regularly voiced his preference for the nation’s captain to be based in South Africa for stronger communication links.

Therefore, it would be a significant positive for the Boks if they were to reach a deal with Racing that would allow Kolisi to join one of South Africa’s leading clubs.

Kolisi began his professional career at the Stormers and played Super Rugby for the Cape Town side between 2012 and 2020 before moving to the Sharks in 2021.

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