Symbolic South African captain Sia Kolsi signs for France in the 92nd Race

Posted in: 01/03/2023 – 15:35

Racing 92 announced on Tuesday, January 3 that it has reached an agreement with One of the best third line players in the world, Sia Colci, 31 years. He was a team leaderSouth Africa during the The 2019 World Cup was won by the Springboks It has been developing since 2021 within the Sharks franchise in South Africa.

“This signing is part of a broader, long-term cooperation agreement between the Racing 92 Club and Sharks, in which each party has made financial efforts.” The Parisian club said in a press releasewithout giving further details about the transaction amount.

“The signing of Siya Kolisi furthers Racing 92’s ambitions and will offer our fans a high-profile show at Paris La Défense Arena. His deep culture of victory and natural drive make him a very great player who doubles as a player,” said Jackie Lorenzetti, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Racing 92.

This player is very committed to education and social cohesion, in particular through Kolisi FoundationHe was the first black captain in South Africa. He currently has 61 caps for the Springboks, with whom he notably played four games during their recent fall tour, Including the defeat against the Blues in Marseille (30-26).

Desire to continue his charitable work

“I am very excited about the idea of ​​joining Racing 92 after the World Cup, a visionary club that I have always admired (…). Racing 92 has great ambitions on the ground but also very encouraging community projects, which is in line with my personal mission and values.”

The player spoke at length In an interview with the sports daily L’Equipe, who was in the confidence of his signature. He explains that he has always had the idea of ​​discovering France and their early 14, a tournament in which he hopes to shine by bringing “an added value”.

In this interview, Kolisi also makes it clear that he hopes Racing 92 will support him in his “philanthropy” and charitable activities in South Africa. “It means everything to me, because it’s my connection to my country. It’s also the reason I play rugby: I want to leave a legacy even off the field,” he says daily. jock.

Originally from the town of Zuid in Port Elizabeth, he fights privately so that young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods can benefit, like himself, from a scholarship or financial aid to be able to study and practice various sporting activities.

The desire to win the new World Cup

Siya Kolisi will especially find in Racing 92 his teammate, crowned world champion in 2019, prop Trevor Nyakane. With his arrival, Ile-de-France is continuing its strategy of signing top foreign players. Such was the case with Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton in 2014 or Australian Courtley Bell in 2018.

His biggest transfer to date, however, remains Arrival of New Zealand opener Dan Carter in 2015. With him, Racing 92 won its last title, Top 14, in 2016, In an exceptional final organized at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

Since then, the club, led by Jacqui Lorenzetti, has struggled to win a new title, both in the French Championship and in European competition. However, it has a comfortable budget and infrastructure that is unique in French rugby, such as the Paris La Défense Arena, which is an ultra-modern enclosure that allows the sport to be played indoors.

Racing 92 counts on Kolisi to put on a show and become champion again. A challenge that South Africa’s third line are eager to take on. Even if he hopes, before joining his future club, that he will succeed in shining in France with another shirt, that of South Africa. “The goal is to try and win a new World Cup with the Springboks,” he explains at L’Équipe. Because the South Africans managed, on the occasion of this tenth edition of the World Cup, to win the fourth title and thus pass the ball in front of their great New Zealand rivals.

With Agence France-Presse