Springboks captain Kolisi rejoins Sharks from Racing 92

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has rejoined the Sharks after prematurely ending his contract with French Top 14 outfit Racing 92, the Durban franchise announced on Monday.

The 33-year-old double Rugby World Cup-winning flanker made only 18 appearances for Racing due to injuries in the first season of a planned three-year contract.

His family reportedly struggled to settle in Paris.

"Siya Kolisi and Racing 92 have reached an agreement to end the contract," a statement from Racing on Sunday read.

Kolisi said: "My family have missed South Africa and it is time to come home. I would like to thank Racing for accommodating my request to return home.

"It is a great club steeped in tradition with an impressive group of players, who I can now call brothers for life.

"I am excited to be returning to Durban to rejoin the Sharks. My family and I love Durban and its people, and I cannot wait to run on to Kings Park during the 2024-2025 season."

Kolisi will bolster a forward pack that includes three fellow Springbok regulars, prop Ox Nche, hooker Bongi Mbonambi and lock Eben Etzebeth.

Kolisi debuted for South Africa in 2013 and became the first black Test captain of the Springboks five years later.

He led his country to victory in the 2019 and 2023 World Cup tournaments, and last Saturday scored a try in a Rugby Championship win over greatest rivals New Zealand in Cape Town.

European Challenge Cup title-holders the Sharks, along with the Bulls, Lions and Stormers, are the dominant franchises in South Africa.