The final chapter of Siya Kolisi’s Sharks story is drawing to a close. South Africa’s World Cup-winning captain has opened up about the emotional challenge of leaving Durban as he prepares for a homecoming to Cape Town, where it all began over a decade ago.
The Springbok skipper is entering his final fortnight in the black and white jersey, with family pulling him back to the Mother City and the Stormers, the franchise where he first announced himself to the rugby world in 2011.
Kolisi’s departure marks the end of a second spell on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, having first joined the Sharks in 2021 after 118 appearances in Stormers colours. A brief sojourn at Racing 92 in France from 2023 to 2024 interrupted his time at Kings Park, but the 33-year-old flanker returned to Durban before making the call that family comes first.
“It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to the boys,” Kolisi admitted to KickOff.com this week, his words carrying the weight of a decision driven by fatherhood rather than rugby.
“Durban has been a special place. The people of KZN have welcomed me and my family, and we’ll definitely come back as much as we can.”
The two-time World Cup winner expressed deep gratitude to the Sharks organisation for understanding the pull of family ties that ultimately swayed his decision to head south.
“I’m grateful to the Sharks for everything they’ve done for me, for understanding how important family is and helping me get closer to my kids,” Kolisi added.
The timing of his departure coincides with a disappointing campaign for the Sharks, who have failed to secure a play-off berth in the United Rugby Championship. Their inconsistent form has left them out of contention with just two fixtures remaining on the URC calendar.
Saturday’s encounter with Benetton at Kings Park and the following weekend’s clash against Zebre Parma on 16 May will serve as Kolisi’s final opportunities to pull on the Sharks jersey in competitive action. For a player who has given so much to South African rugby and worn the captain’s armband with such distinction, these matches carry far greater significance than mere dead rubbers.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the supporters for the last two weeks and to saying a proper goodbye to everyone,” the flanker said.
Saturday’s fixture against the Italian outfit kicks off at 16:00, giving the Durban faithful one last chance to salute a rugby icon at Kings Park before he embarks on the journey back to where his professional career first took flight.
Kolisi’s return to Newlands, now the Cape Town Stadium, represents a full-circle moment for one of South African rugby’s most inspirational figures. The Zwide-born loose forward made his Stormers debut as a raw 20-year-old and developed into a world-class operator in the blue and white hoops before his initial move north.
Now, with silverware in abundance and two Webb Ellis Cups to his name, Kolisi heads back to Cape Town not as a promising youngster but as a proven leader and rugby statesman.
