Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says he wouldn’t make it to the 2027 World Cup had he kept on playing his club rugby in France.

Kolisi joined Racing 92 after the 2023 World Cup having told the French club that he would not play Test rugby again. However, he soon changed his mind and was back in the green and gold as the Boks won 11 out of 13 Tests in 2024.

Kolisi’s club form suffered, though, with Racing 92 president Jacky Lorenzetti publicly criticising his performances.

At the end of his first season in France, both parties agreed to terminate his three-year contract, with the Sharks paying an R18-million release fee to bring him back to Durban.

In a lengthy interview with The Times, Kolisi said his desire to be part of another World Cup cycle was a big reason for his Racing 92 departure.

“When I put on the green-and-gold jersey, I feel like a superhero,” he said. “I feel like I can do anything and I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to give that up.

“The next person that takes it [the jersey] from me, they’re going to have to grab it, because I’m going to fight. And my body feels strong, so I think I can.”

Kolisi then admitted he could not have extended his Test career by another four years while playing in the gruelling French Top 14.

“On my body, there’s no way I could do both.”