South African Rugby will not stump up any shortfall that will pave the way for Siya Kolisi’s return to the country.
News emerged from Paris this week that Kolisi had requested an early release from his contract with Racing 92, with the Sharks named as his likely destination.
Racing 92, having paid the Sharks a reported €850,000 (R16.95m) to get Kolisi out of his contract last year, will likely seek significant compensation. Having signed a five-year contract with the Parisian club for a reported €1m (R19.7m) per year, Kolisi’s release will command a considerable transfer fee.
Given the Sharks’ already weighty payroll, parting with a considerable sum may require additional financial input but SA Rugby made it clear they cannot make commitments outside existing payment structures. “He will be treated like any other player,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.
“He will get a Poni (player of national interest) contract and contributions go to his province.”
Oberholzer clarified how contributions are made. “He will get a URC [United Rugby Championship] contract and a Poni contract like any other player of national interest. The province he goes to gets the Poni contract money that helps pay his salary.”
Oberholzer said no local precedent exists in which the national federation tops up a player’s salary. He conceded, however, to have the Springbok captain play in South Africa — as is the wish of national coach Rassie Erasmus — is in their interest.
The break was detrimental to him. He put on weight, lost his form and yesterday [during the play-off defeat], he was invisible
— Racing 92 owner Jacky Lorenzetti
“It is definitely to our benefit if he comes back but this is not something that is driven by us.”
After lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time, Kolisi packed for Paris, amid much fanfare, in November last year.
Though the amiable flank proved a popular and accessible member of the Racing change-room, complete integration of his family into the rhythms of the French capital proved tougher.
Kolisi’s form and familiarity with the treatment room put him in the crosshairs of club owner Jacky Lorenzetti when Racing’s Top 14 aspirations were dashed at the quarterfinal stage. “He had a remarkable start to the season, where he was a unifier off the pitch.
“The break was detrimental to him. He put on weight, lost his form and yesterday [during the play-off defeat], he was invisible. We miss that. In the third row, we were used to having an ultra-present warrior, a warrior called Wenceslas Lauret. For the moment, Siya is not making us forget him. But we think that next year, that will change,” came Lorenzetti’s perhaps prescient message in June.
Kolisi’s desire to leave Paris may have deepened after Lorenzetti’s comments but he is not the first high profile player to feel the wrath of a disgruntled Top 14 chairman.
The Bulls are also said to be interested in acquiring the Bok captain’s services. While that would prove a coup for the franchise’s marketing department, how Kolisi would fit into the Jake White-shaped team isn’t immediately apparent.
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