By Vince Pienaar
Clearly, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi’s move to French Top 14 club Racing 92 has not worked out.
When Siya moved to Paris, he was initially praised for doing great work at the club, particularly off the field, but that didn’t last long.
On the field, Kolisi was plagued by injuries, missing a number of matches.
When faced with the prospect of missing the World Cup in 2023, Kolisi “miraculously” fought his way back to match fitness. It was noticeable that his return to the field for Racing was not nearly as dramatic.
Racing 92 club owner Jacky Lorenzetti then made his famous announcement about Siya after the match against Bordeaux, saying that Siya was not at his best.
“He gained weight and lost shape,” Lorenzetti told the media.
“Yesterday, he was transparent.”
Anybody who watched Siya’s few appearances in France would not strongly disagree with Lorenzetti, but the Frenchman came in for international criticism, especially in South Africa.
Soon, it emerged that not only Siya, but also his family, were not adapting to life in France, and, yes, they all wanted to come home.
The wheels were set in motion for the very expensive deal to buy Siya out of his contract with Racing 92.
Everything seemed finalised, but now Lorenzetti has apparently thrown a spanner in the works.
Nobody is saying that he is acting out of spite, but he is demanding that the amount negotiated for Kolisi’s release must be paid in a single payment. It’s important to note that the amount involved is said to be about R17-million—a significant amount in all rugby circles.
The deal offered by the Sharks is that they would pay Racing in three payments spread over a period of time.
In South Africa, Siya is a legend (and rightly so). In France, he is just another flanker who is expected to prove his value every minute he is on the field.
Siya can’t afford his family being unhappy. The Kolisis have always prided themselves, and very publicly, on being a very close family. Indeed, they are an example of how a family can be successful despite the pressures of international sport.
How will it affect Siya’s performance on the field, even as a Springbok, if the deal can’t be completed and Siya has to spend the next two years in France?
Lorenzetti may become a very important man in South African rugby in the lead-up to the World Cup in 2027.
Pictured Above: World Cup-winning captain, Siya Kolisi
Source: SA Rugby
