CONFIRMED: Kolisi departs Racing; heads to Sharks
09/08/2024 12:40 PM
NEWS: Racing 92 formally said goodbye to one international captain, Siya Kolisi, on Sunday, the day after another, Owen Farrell made his debut for the club as they lost their Top 14 opener.
"Siya Kolisi and Racing 92 have reached an agreement to end the contract," a club statement read.
Kolisi arrived in France last year to much fanfare after the second of his World Cup wins with the Springboks.
However, the 33-year-old only turned out for Racing 18 times last season, scoring one try.
His family was reportedly homesick in Paris.
On Saturday in Cape Town, Kolisi scored a try in an 18-12 win, as, for the second week in a row, the Springboks came from behind to beat New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.
Meanwhile, in Castres on Saturday, former England captain Owen Farrell missed two late penalties on his debut and the home team scored in the 78th minute to inflict a 31-28 defeat on Racing on the opening day of the Top 14 season.
In Sunday's early game, La Rochelle took just enough of their chances to beat visiting Toulon 19-15.
The home side struggled to turn domination into points in the swirling Atlantic wind.
A minute after Toulon's Dan Biggar collected a 17th minute yellow card, Tawera Kerr-Barlow scored a try for the hosts, but they only led 7-3 at the break.
Eight minutes into the second half, Toulon winger Gael Drean beat two defenders to a kick to put the visitors ahead.
Tries by Dillyn Leyds and Georges-Henri Colombe, from close range, put La Rochelle in control. They eked out a scruffy victory despite a second try from Drean two minutes from time.
