Siya Kolisi deal could be done 'within days' as reasons for sudden ...

Talks are moving quickly between the respective parties over the transfer of Siya Kolisi back to the Sharks, according to a report in South Africa.

The Springboks captain has been linked with a return home just a season into his three-year contract at Racing 92.

Kolisi signed a lengthy contract prior to the 2023 Rugby World Cup and joined the club following that victory in the global tournament.

However, his time has been hampered by injuries and a lack of form, which resulted in Racing owner Jacky Lorenzetti unleashing a stinging attack on the flanker.

Lorenzetti said in June that the 33-year-old “gained weight, lost shape and yesterday [against Bordeaux] he was transparent.”

That is not the reason for Kolisi’s desire to return to South Africa, however, with personal reasons cited. The back-row and his family reportedly do not want to remain in France but that the exit from Racing is “amicable”, a source told Rapport.

“It is done practically and on good terms based on what is best for all parties,” that source added. “The transfer will be immediate if the talks are successful.”

SA Rugby weighs into Siya Kolisi ‘buy-out’ claims amid rumoured Racing 92 exit

Although the deal has not been finalised, that outlet claimed that it could be completed “within days”.

Since Lorenzetti’s comments, Kolisi and the owner have had an opportunity to ‘clear the air’ but that the outcome of the meeting is not known.

“It was a private conversation between the two of them. Only a handful of people know what was said,” a source told Rapport.

The Sharks received a hefty transfer fee from Racing 92 for Kolisi’s services in 2023 – R17 million (around £726,200) according to RugbyPass – but the Durban outfit will also need to pay millions to bring him back.

It was reported SA Rugby were involved in talks and would be paying a proportion of that fee, but that was vehemently rejected by the governing body on Saturday.

“Media are advised that speculation that SA Rugby is involved in the ‘buy-out’ of the club contract of Siya Kolisi is without any basis in fact,” the governing body said in a statement.

“SA Rugby also wishes to make clear that it is not in any way involved in any conversations relating to such an outcome should they, in fact, be taking place.”

Instead, it is possible SA Rugby will pay a PONI (players of national interest) contribution should the Kolisi deal be completed.

“For clarity, when national players return to play in South Africa, they may be added to the category of players of national interest at the discretion of SA Rugby. At such point their union remuneration is supplemented by SA Rugby,” they added.

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