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Siya Kolisi before the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal between Japan and South Africa at Tokyo Stadium on October 20, 2019 (Photo by Hannah Peters / Getty Images)
Springbok captain He is a school He will part ways with Western Province Rugby after an 11-year journey that has spanned his entire professional rugby career to date.
The union confirmed the news in a statement.
“Kolisi’s current contract was scheduled to end in October 2021 and although the union did its best to re-sign it, it decided not to take it on and has been released early from its contract, by accepting a transfer fee.” “the statement read.
Kolisi has been strongly linked to a move to the Sharks in Durban and while the Western Province did not provide any clarity on the future of the 2019 World Cup winning captain, confirmation of that deal is expected shortly.
Since US investors MVM Holdings acquired a majority stake in Sharks in January, the possible move from Kolisi to Durban has been the subject of much speculation.
Investors in the MVM consortium include Roc Nation Sports president Michael Yormark and Vincent Mai, who was instrumental in Kolisi receiving a scholarship to attend Gray High School.
Roc Nation, a talent agency owned by American rapper Jay Z, signed with Kolisi before the end of 2019 after the Boks won the World Cup and their likely move to KwaZulu-Natal appears to be rooted in that relationship.
Kolisi signed with Western Province Rugby fresh out of school, learned his trade at the Western Province Rugby Institute and played on the U19 team in 2010, which also featured players like Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni, Eben Etzebeth, Nizaam Carr and Damian de Allende. .
He made his senior debut in 2011, before winning his first Super Rugby cap in 2012.
He ends his time at Western Province Rugby as the second most capped Stormers player, with the legendary Schalk Burger (123) the only player to have surpassed all 118 of his Super Rugby caps for the franchise.
In 2017, Kolisi was named captain of the Stormers and led the team through two full Super Rugby seasons before being named captain of the Springbok in 2018.
Stormers coach John Dobson wished Kolisi the best and thanked him for his significant contributions over the years.
“Siya Kolisi will always be a Stormers legend, her story is well known around the world and everyone here is grateful to have played a role in it. We would have loved for her to stay and end her career where she started, but we wish her all. all the best, “said Dobson.
“We have always done our best to retain the world-class talent we have in the union before looking elsewhere and we look forward to announcing some significant contract extensions with some of our experienced players in the near future.
Kolisi said he will always cherish the memories of his time with Western Province Rugby.
“I would like to thank everyone at Western Province Rugby for what has been an incredible time in my life where I have grown as a rugby player and as a person,” he said.
“All the coaches, management and teammates who have had such a great influence on me over the last 11 years and especially the Stormers Faithful and the people of Cape Town and beyond, who made my time with the union so It has been a privilege to experience your support. “
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
