‘We didn’t want Siya Kolisi back but his agent kept nagging’ – Rassie Erasmus voice out.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus could not resist a joke when asked about Siya Kolisi’s rumoured return to South Africa from France.

Kolisi is set to seal a move back to the Sharks from French club Racing 92 after just one season with the Top 14 club.

It is reported that the Springboks captain has struggled to settle in the French capital and is in talks to secure an early exit from his Racing 92 contract that runs until 2026.

Siya Kolisi and Racing 92 saga

Kolisi agreed a deal to move from the Sharks to Racing 92 after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, signing a three-year deal that included the Top 14 club paying a transfer fee to buy him out of the remainder of his contract.

However, injuries and fatigue have hampered the Bok captain’s time in Paris and matters weren’t helped when club president Jacky Lorenzetti openly criticised his performances, stating that he had “gained weight, lost shape and was transparent” after their final game of the season.

Erasmus has now confirmed that negotiations between Racing 92 and the Sharks are underway and that the latter had reached out to SA Rugby to ask if they supported the move and join the conversion.

“We actually didn’t want him to come back but his agent kept nagging and nagging,” Erasmus joked when asked about the situation after naming his team to face Australia.

“When we heard that Siya wants to come back, obviously it is an out-and-out Sharks decision but we back it up and support it.”

Erasmus came close to confirming that the deal had been finalised before quickly backtracking.

“When the Sharks asked us, we support them 100% and it is lovely… They will obviously announce it but we were asked to join in on the conversations and if we want him back and the answer was ‘yes’,” he added.

“It is nice to have your captain in the country. But I’m not quite sure how far (along) the deal is or if the Sharks have signed him and when it will be announced but we know about it and we are happy about it.”

SA Rugby’s role

Kolisi’s return to South Africa is welcomed by the Springboks head coach, who raised doubt around the flanker’s future as captain of the side earlier this year as he and SA Rugby prefer to have their skipper based locally.

While initial reports suggested that the Sharks were leading the race to secure his services, Erasmus’ comments do suggest that they are the only team that Kolisi could join despite starting his career with the Stormers and Western Province.

The Sharks would need to come to an agreement over the release of Kolisi with a transfer fee probably needed to buy him out of the remaining years of his contract.

However, SA Rugby will likely assist with his salary with the PONI – player of national interest – scheme where they could cover as much as 80% of his earnings.