Springbok captain Siya Kolisi unlikely to take up Japan offer, says Sharks

Springbok and Sharks flank Siya Kolisi is unlikely to take up an offer from Japan’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers, according to a high-placed source at the Durban franchise.

According to RugbyPass, the two-time World Cup-winning captain has been approached by the Steelers, but while a move to the less intense Japanese league would make sense at this stage of the 34-year-old’s career, another factor will keep him in South Africa.

“I would be surprised if Siya is considering a move abroad because he is very close to his children, who are at school in Cape Town,” the source said. “When Siya moved to Racing 92 after the 2023 World Cup, he missed home and came back to the Sharks.”

Kolisi’s time in Paris was indeed short-lived — he was back in Durban within a year. That move was made possible by American businessman Vincent Mai, who paid the R17-million release fee to terminate his Racing contract.

Last week, Kolisi said from Cardiff that the first thing he would do when he got home from tour was to spend time with his family.

“I’m going back to Cape Town to visit my kids,” he said. “We need to go back to our unions with the same mentality and the same attitude (as they have with the Springboks). However, I want to ensure that I take next week off completely.”

The Bok captain said he was eager to help the Sharks get back on track after a poor start to the season.

“Honestly, with the squad we have at the Sharks, we shouldn’t be where we are. It’s really embarrassing for me as a player, to be honest. You can blame coaches all you want. Coaches can do so much.

“There are guys who are playing well and trying. But to be honest, all of us as a group, with the number of Springboks that we have, that’s not the standard we should be setting.

“I put myself first. I haven’t been the best in the past two games that I played there. So, I hope to take all of this back and bring it forward, showing who we are.”