Surprisingly not surprised: Siya Kolisi suddenly withdrew from the Sharks’ South African derby against the Bulls.

Siya Kolisi was not playing for the Sharks this past weekend, against the Bulls, in the United Rugby Championship. Kolisi was taken out of the match before the kick-off.

Kolisi was slated to be in the starting line-up at number eight for their South African derby, but that never happened.

That gave rise to various speculations on social media that it was on the back of a story that broke on Friday regarding Kolisi’s intended relocation to the exit of the Sharks at the conclusion of the season.

Calf issue

In fact, it can be seen that the cause of this late withdrawal is injury and there is a tear in the calf that supposedly caused him to miss this game.

If proven, however, this is probably an injury that will keep him from action for a lengthy period.

It will be a huge blow for John Plumtree’s men who had a much-improved season, thanks also in part to Kolisi’s changing position into the base of the scrum, now most likely not being seen too many more times in Durban.

News 24 has claimed that Kolisi has set his sights on returning to Cape Town in order to be closer to his children after splitting with wife Rachel.

It seems that it is the Springboks captain who has approached the Stormers about joining the team, having recently returned to the Sharks.

Kolisi signed a three-year deal at Racing 92 and moved to Paris at the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but his stay there lasted only for a season.

He had to negotiate a move back to Durban after he and his family could not settle into life in the French capital.

‘Stealing’ from Racing

we discussed with the club and it went well. I can only be grateful to the way things have gone about, he told L’Equip in September.

“When I arrived in Paris, I didn’t know what was about to happen in my international career, but when I recalled playing with the team again (in June), I knew that my body is condemned to a lack of rest.

And mostly, being with South Africa means I miss three-quarters of the Top 14 season. I earn very good money, and it makes it seem as if I’m stealing from Racing, so for me, my physical health and the club, what is right, I don’t want to half invest myself.

This, however, does appear to weigh against the back-row player switching clubs yet again, considering he has spent most of his career in Cape Town with the Stormers and the Western Province and now looks to be heading back for possible action in the 2025/26 season.