South African world champion Siya Kolisi has signed up with Racing 92 in France until 2026, but will only join Ciel et Blanc after the 2023 World Cup.
Racing 92 offers one of the best players in the world to his position. It is also a symbol, since Kolisi was the first black captain of South Africa, very committed to education and social cohesion. Kolisi follows in the footsteps of Dan Carter, the all-black star who carried the Hauts-de-Seine club to its last Brennus, in 2016.
The 31-year-old third row, captain of the Springboks in the 2019 World Cup won by beating England 32-12 in the final, has been playing for the South African Sharks franchise since 2021.
” I am very excited to join Racing 92 after the World Cup, a visionary club that I have always admired (…). Racing 92 has great ambitions on the ground but also very encouraging societal projects, which corresponds to my personal values and mission. “says Kolisi, quoted in the press release.
“I want to add value”
“ I’m going to be 32 (next June 16), and I still feel good, my body is in good shape. So if I want to go to another club, I might as well do it while I’m still a good player, not when I’m on the verge of retirement or my body no longer follows. Some say they leave to live an experience, not me: I want to bring added value “, explains Kolisi in the columns of L’Équipe.
The appointment of “Siya” Kolisi as captain in May 2018 was a real revolution in a sport, rugby, which still bears the scars of apartheid. At 26, the township kid, born to teenage parents and raised by his grandmother, became the first black player to wear the Springbok captain’s jersey for test matches. In 2012, Kolisi joined the South African Stormers team in Super Rugby. The following year, he was called up to the Springboks.
Siya Kolisi, who will find other South African world champions at Racing 92, prop Trevor Nyakane and rear Warrick Gelant, wants to continue working from France, with his wife Rachel, for the Kolisi foundation, which carries out projects charities in his country.