Springbok captain Siya Kolisi could finally seal his return to the Sharks after an American businessman reportedly put his hand up and offered to pay the transfer fee demanded by French club Racing 92.
Kolisi’s return to South Africa seemed to have reached a stalemate after it was reported that the Sharks were not willing to put up the £726,000 (R17 million) to buy him out of his contract.
This was after reports suggesting the 33-year-old and his family were not happy in France, and were looking to return home.
According to reports, the Sharks were willing to pay the R17 million for Kolisi’s return over a period of years, but Racing President Jacky Lorenzetti wanted a full payment upfront to get the deal done.
After the Sharks refused the demand, it appeared as if deal was dead in the water.
And now, South African-born Vincent Mai has stepped in and offered to foot the bill to secure the Springbok captain’s return to the Sharks, according to a report in RugbyPass.
Mai is a member of the consortium that owns the Sharks, and as an Old Boy of Grey High School in Gqeberha, was responsible for the bursary that offered Kolisi the opportunity to attend the school.
On Monday, France centre Gael Fickou said he would respect Kolisi’s decision to return to South Africa.
"His choice will be the right one for him," France centre Fickou said, according to AFP.
"If he feels like his family are not well settled in France and that he needs to be down there, then I understand it and we will respect that.
Kolisi's arrival after last year's World Cup was heralded as a major factor in turning Racing from glamourous also-rans, whose roster of former players includes the likes of Dan Carter, Jonny Sexton and Finn Russell, into genuine title contenders.
According to Fickou, Kolisi's departure will not affect the team's preparations for the new Top 14 season which begins this weekend with new star signing Owen Farrell expcted to make his debut at Castres.
"No one is indispensable at Racing," said Fickou. "We'll find other solutions."
Kolisi suffered a facial injury in the Springboks' Rugby Championship win over New Zealand last weekend and is a doubt for this Saturday's re-match.
Kolisi is only expected back with the club in late-September after the end of the Rugby Championship.
IOL Sport, additional reporting by AFP