Siya Kolisi (Twitter)
South Africa’s World Cup-winning Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi has signed with the Cell C Sharks on a multi-year deal.
Kolisi put pen to paper with the Durban-based franchise on Wednesday after announcing last week that he had been released early from the final year of his contract with Western Province Rugby, with whom he had spent his entire 13-year career to date.
The Sharks said in a statement that Siya’s ongoing appetite to win trophies and better himself on the field, matched with The Sharks strategic vision and defined blueprint for success, had driven his motivation to expand his horizons within SA rugby, and embark on this exciting new chapter in Durban.
“He is a class act and undoubtedly a great ambassador for the game and is someone whom our young players will certainly draw inspiration from,” said Sharks CEO, Dr Eduard Coetzee.
Kolisi said he’d bought into the vision of The Sharks immediately. “I have always had a desire to be the best, and play with the best, to reach my potential on and off the field, and this move is just another step in maximising what I can achieve within my career.”
Kolisi said he had considered playing overseas after the 2015 World Cup, during a tough time in his career, but had opted to stay in Cape Town because the work he does off the field in South Africa’s communities is really important to him.
He said if there was one place he always considered leaving Cape Town for it was Durban as he knew a lot of their players and had always enjoyed the culture and vibe of the Sharks. “I had a lot of comfort knowing this is the best place for me, change is a good thing and the timing was also important,” said Siya.
“What I did in the past does not really matter now. I am my own biggest critic and have to prove myself once again with the Sharks. The timing could not be more perfect after a tough year as a rugby player last year – I’m really excited to be teaming up with a quality-band of players here at the Sharks.”
