Springboks legend highlights how Siya Kolisi’s Sharks return could benefit his career
Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi and ex-Boks lock Victor Matfield.
Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi’s decision to return to the Sharks after a forgetful stint at Racing 92 could work in his favour in his bid to be part of the world champions’ squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
That was the word from South Africa’s most capped Test player Victor Matfield after Kolisi only spent one season at the Parisian outfit despite signing a three-year deal with them.
It was confirmed on Sunday that the Kolisi would be returning to the Sharks after agreeing a mutual termination of his contract at Racing 92.
This, after the 33-year-old back-row copped some flak earlier this year from the Top 14 club’s president Jacky Lorenzetti, who said Kolisi has ‘gained weight, lost shape and was transparent’ after he completed his first season with Racing.
Workload will be managed better in South Africa
And Matfield believes Kolisi’s return to South Africa will be to his benefit as his workload will be managed better in his homeland than in France where players’ game-time usually get used to the maximum.
“France and England, but especially France, is the toughest on players because you can play a lot of games,” he told News24. “The owners that side want their pound of flesh back, so it’s not very easy to manage a player when they’re that side.
“If it’s their window, they’ll maximise every available second that you have, but it’s better in a place like Japan.
“In SA, the Boks pay a big portion of your salary so they’re in a better position to look after you in a measured manner.
“For the longevity of his career, it’s much better for him to play here than in France.”
Apart from benefitting the player, Matfield also believes Kolisi’s return home will help with promoting and marketing the game at the Durban-based franchise and the rest of South Africa.
“It’s great to have him back in SA,” he said.
“We can all see the impact that he has on people, and he also loves to be among the people.
“He’s not the person who shrinks in between people, and I think he’ll have a huge impact on his return.
“The Sharks will benefit hugely from his return.”
Matfield believes as the Bok skipper Kolisi will have a higher profile in South Africa – especially off the field – whereas he will be just another player while based at a foreign club.
‘You aren’t just a player’ in South Africa
“If you become a senior player in South Africa, with your union and the Boks, you aren’t just a player, you get involved in things off the field,” he added.
“That’s part of your life, and you love doing it, but once you’re over that side, you’re just a player.
“You get to training sessions; you do what they tell you to do and fall into their systems. You’re not part of their plans in terms of building a brand or something much bigger.
“When I was with the Bulls, I used to sit with the coaches and discuss future-related matters with management.
“I loved doing that, but when you’re overseas, they don’t quite have the same dream that you have for yourself.
“You can see with the Boks that they have the same dream, and they chasing it together to achieve that.”
