International third row Siya Kolisi, a two-time world champion with South Africa, is leaving Racing 92 a year after his arrival in the Top 14, the Parisian club announced in a press release on Sunday. “Siya Kolisi and Racing 92 announce that they have reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract that linked the South African third row to the sky and white club until 2026,” wrote Racing 92, adding that “both parties thank each other for the sporting moments spent together under the sky and white jersey.”
Homesickness
Arriving after a second world title won in France with South Africa, Siya Kolisi was one of Racing 92’s major recruits last season. But his performances have not lived up to his reputation. Kolisi only played 18 matches for the Parisian club last season and scored just one try. The South African double world champion had told his management that he wanted to leave after having only honoured one of his three years of contract. Kolisi wanted to return to his former club, the Sharks, in Durban, as his family was homesick in France.
At Racing 92’s back-to-school press conference on Tuesday, club owner Jacky Lorenzetti confirmed the South African’s desire to leave and promised an outcome soon. While Racing 92 started its season with a defeat in Castres on Saturday (31-28), Kolisi is in South Africa, where he is playing in the Rugby Championship with his national team. He scored one of the two tries in the Springboks’ victory against the All Blacks (18-12) in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
- RMC Sport
