The return of Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi to the Sharks from Racing 92, is on the verge of collapse according to a report.
In a report on rugbypass.com it alleges that Racing is insisting on a R17 million for Kolisi, to recoup what the French club paid for the flank.
The fee is said to be a major sticking point for the Sharks.
The rumours first began to circle after Racing owner Jacky Lorenzetti was not impressed with Kolisi earlier this year.
Nothing much to see here just Siya Kolisi giving a Springbok fan his stinking socks after the Australia game in Perth 😂![CDATA[]]>😂![CDATA[]]>😂 pic.twitter.com/DdpvHBlaLn
— ISHMAEL 🏴☠️☠️🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦![CDATA[]]>🇨![CDATA[]]>🇩![CDATA[]]>🇵![CDATA[]]>🇸 (@mr_shimmy) August 22, 2024
Overweight and invisible
Lorenzetti in June said after Racing lost to Bordeaux-Begles in their Top-14 play-off match that Kolisi had: “gained weight, lost shape, and yesterday he was invisible.”
The Sharks are believed to be willing to pay the full amount, but not all up-front. Lorenzetti, however, seems unwilling to budge on having the entire payment before Kolisi is released.
Kolisi is currently back with the Springboks for the Rugby Championship. The 33-year-old skippered the Springboks in their opening clash of the tournament against hosts Australia on August 10 in Brisbane, as the visitors ran out convincing 33-7 winners.
In their second clash in Perth, Kolisi was rested as Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to his side. The Springboks went on to triumph by a similar scoreline despite fielding what was widely perceived as a ‘B team’.
Kolisi will still be involved with the Springboks for the entire month of September with two clashes against New Zealand in South Africa and two against Los Pumas in Argentina remaining in the Rugby Championship.
Meanwhile, Sharks coach JP Pietersen said he had not even been informed that Kolisi might be returning to the Durban outfit.
“That is news to me, me and Siya have been talking. He never mentioned he was coming back to the Sharks. We will have to wait for Siya to say something I guess,” Pietersen told Sportsbroom.com.